Study of mining sector benefits commissioned by the Québec Mining Association : EXPENDITURE OF ALMOST $300 MILLION FOR THE SAGUENAY-LAC-ST-JEAN REGION
09/01/2017
Québec City, January 9, 2017 – Annual expenditure of $297.2 million, 2,680 jobs created or maintained, and a network of 478 suppliers—these are the key points that highlight the importance of the mining industry for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. They are taken from a study of the economic benefits generated by Québec's mining industry, commissioned by the Québec Mining Association (QMA) and based on a survey of its members.
Although the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region has one active mine, the Niobec mine, it is not generally considered to be a mining region. However, it still benefits substantially from mining activities in Québec, taking advantage of its proximity to the Côte-Nord region where it provides goods and services. With almost 480 mining industry suppliers, the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean currently ranks third in the field, behind the main mining region, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Montréal.
"The mining industry is a driving force for economic development in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region and Québec as a whole. We can be proud of our mining industry, which helps develop Québec's mineral wealth, for the benefit of all Quebecers and with respect for people and the environment," says Josée Méthot, the QMA's president and CEO.
With several mine projects under development in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, such as the Arianne Phosphate project, benefits are expected to increase in the region in the coming years. "The benefits generated are already impressive, and can only increase when the mining industry recovers from the current slowdown and launches new projects. In the meantime, it is important to put in place the conditions needed to ensure that Québec is ready to respond to new markets," concludes Josée Méthot.
Methodology
The study is based on a survey of QMA member mining companies concerning their expenditure in 2014. The data was combined with other data from a survey on employment and wages, and was then used to calculate the economic benefits generated by the mining industry in Québec. The response rate for the two surveys was around 97%.
The indirect benefits generated throughout Québec were estimated using simulations from the intersectoral model developed by the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), while the models developed by EcoTec Consultants were used to break down the indirect benefits by administrative region. The same models were used to (1) calculate the induced benefits and break them down by region and (2) calculate the indirect and induced benefits in other provinces.
About the Québec Mining Association
The Québec Mining Association (QMA) was founded in 1936 and speaks proactively for mining companies involved in exploration, extraction and processing, mining contractors and junior mining companies, along with suppliers, institutions, non-profit organizations and other mining sector partners. It is proud of the 45,000 jobs and total expenditure of almost $6 billion generated by Québec's mining industry. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and proactively develop a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.