GEOGRAPHICAL FOCUS: CANADA
difficult multi-party negotiations over mining rights and infrastructure, and the pressure of environmental concerns, both those with legitimacy and those chosen by anti-mining pressure groups as causes. Both situations can be legal minefields delaying any exploitation of new mining claims, but the overall business climate has justified the high positions of Canadian provinces in the Fraser Institute survey previously referred to. Overall Canadian mining is justly proud of its safety and environmental records, although certain incidents have gained media prominence. Of course there is also the problem of a generally harsh winter climate especially in the northern mines of the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon. Tese require operations, including supplies, to be dictated
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from the top of the drill rig to the tip of the bit including branded ranges such as Christensen surface core drills, Diamec underground core drills, in-hole tools, Craelius, Hobic, Excore diamond products and Swellex rock bolts. In addition to mines and manufacturers the Canadian industry includes a number of world-class mining educational establishments with associated research facilities. Despite the overall stability of the Canadian mining scene, it is not without its difficulties, in addition to lower prices for most commodities, even though many countries in similar circumstances share the difficulties. Chief among these extra problems are aboriginal rights leading to
he Canadian mining industry employs about 380,000 people across Canada. It has one of the
largest mining supply sectors globally with more than 3,400 companies supplying engineering, geotechnical, environmental, financial and other services to mining operations.
by the seasons and for equipment to be resistant to extremes of low temperature.
International Although this article focuses on the Canadian scene, it is worth mentioning the importance of Canada to the world of mining as a whole; not just because of the involvement of multinationals but also due to the involvement of Canadian companies worldwide. For example, Canada, perhaps surprisingly considering the publicity given to China and former colonial nations, is the leading foreign country involved in mining projects in Africa. It is also very strong in Latin America. l
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