Mining can help drive Canada’s economic recovery from COVID-19

mInInGCan hELp DrIvE CanaDa's EConomIC rECovEry from CovID-19

By Pierre Gratton, president and CEO, Mining Association of Canada

There is no question that the pandemic has had a massive effect on all sectors of the global economy, and Canada’s mining industry has been heavily impacted. Given the essential nature of our sector and its products, for businesses to thrive moving forward, support for mining will be integral to supporting the broader economy.

Canadian mining has an extensive North American supply chain that is retooling to provide products that are needed now more than ever. Mines produce materials that are essential for protecting Canadians, including medical technologies and medications, and it has been critical that supply chains stay open during this crucial time so that we can ensure mined products are readily available for the people and businesses who rely on them. Canada needs mined products, and we must continue to ensure they are mined safely, not just for workers but for communities surrounding mine sites.

As minerals and metals are essential to the functioning of our society, our industry moved quickly to adopt measures to reduce the spread of the virus, protect our employees, and neighbours. The minerals sector accounts for 626,000 jobs throughout the country and is the largest private-sector industrial employer of Indigenous peoples, so ensuring the health and safety of those who work in mining and in the communities surrounding mine sites has been paramount. Our industry has diligently followed the guidance of public health authorities and has transparently implemented new and stringent health and safety guidelines to ensure the wellbeing of its employees, often going beyond requirements.

The amount of collaboration and work that has been done in the industry to ensure the spread of COVID-19 is reduced is unprecedented. From building mobile testing units at remote mine locations, to chartering planes for fly-in, fly-out operations to ensure social distancing,

Providing Quality Analyses, Excellent Turnaround Time and Customer Service for the Exploration and Mining Industry.

to allowing Indigenous employees to remain in their home communities with full pay, the mining sector has prioritized the health and safety of their employees, their contractors, and the communities in and around which they operate, and will continue to do so.

It is extremely important to recognize the privilege our industry has to operate, particularly in Indigenous communities. Recent global events have highlighted the continued necessity of ensuring antiracist policies are in place in all sectors. Our Towards Sustainable Mining program, focused on responsible mining practices, includes a newly updated standard on Indigenous and Community Relationships that focuses on ensuring management and employees at mine sites are educated on the history of Indigenous peoples and receive skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Beyond safety, Canadian mining companies have gone further, making contributions to food banks, women’s shelters, Indigenous organizations, and health authorities across Canada exceeding $40 million. These are in addition to the donation of tens of thousands of N95 masks, test kits, and ventilators amongst other equipment and goods to address shortages of these critical supplies.

We recognize the responsibility our industry has to protect its employees while providing the material that keeps Canada’s economic engine running. As businesses reopen, we are confident that our sector will be able to provide the mined materials essential to the items and technology used every day in the most Canadian way – responsibly. 6