Challenges for Quebec mineral exploration
T
he mining industry has always been characterized by the variability of its cycles, mainly associated with the value
of metal and with global economic performances. However, the current decline in mining investments cannot exclusively be attributed to the sector’s economic slowdown. The intense competition between different exploration companies for access to investments is one of their major challenges. And since
exploration companies do not make production revenues, these investments are crucial to new knowledge acquisition work in the field. As a consequence, Discovery of deposits. / Découverte de gisements.
deposit discovery rates are reduced, as is the attractiveness of the sector. Due to their decisions or to their
considered within the next year. These
obligation to work in isolated regions,
include the implementation of the
along with the strong competition for
management framework, different levels
regulation resulting from the changes
labour, are all factors which make an
of government have a significant influence
made to the Environment Quality Act,
employer’s search for employees even
on the functioning of the sector, its overall
the introduction of the act respecting
more difficult.
predictability, and its future growth. The
the conservation of wetlands and
granting of environmental authorizations
bodies of water, and the approach by
discovery rate, the acquisition of new
in forestry, the tax incentives, and the
the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune
geoscientific knowledge and personnel
presence of infrastructures facilitating
et des Parcs regarding the strategy for
recruitment and retention, companies
travel (especially in northern territories)
protecting caribou. The modifications to
must further invest in innovation. In fact,
all contribute to the realization of
the Mining Act must also be monitored
innovation must be a core priority for
mineral exploration projects. However,
with the goal of improving and reducing
businesses and for levels of government
the prohibitions and restrictions which
the administrative management to which
that support research and development.
govern this activity, as well as the overlap
businesses allot a great deal of energy and
Companies that are the most proactive
of regulations, decrease the amounts
costly investments.
and creative in facing these challenges will
spent on exploration work which lead to discoveries.
According to a study done by the association, mining exploration companies
In order to improve the deposit
be best prepared to draw the attention of investors.
Due to its specific characteristics
have a limited power over changes that
(project life and development cycles,
can be made to the industry’s intrinsic
geology. Businesses in this sector must also
international scope, economic impacts
characteristics in order to attract and
be capable of meeting technical challenges
on the entire community, social and
retain employees. Mining exploration
by innovating and adapting to the
environmental impacts), mineral resource
is a cyclical industry with its own set
environment where exploration projects
development in Quebec calls upon a
of instabilities, which are reflected in
are developed. The ability to achieve this
great number of government stakeholders
employment: workers must face market
will become their driving force for the
(Sustainable Development, Municipal
uncertainties, with no guarantee for long-
years to come. In summary, their ability to
Affairs, Aboriginal Affairs, Economic
term stability. Recruitment challenges
manage all exploration-related challenges
Development, etc.) who must ensure
are even greater in the context of full
will allow them to stand out and to
concerted, effective action.
employment. The demanding working
successfully complete their exploration
conditions for employees and their
projects. u
Certain challenges will have to be
Today, exploration goes well beyond
Quebec Mining Review 2019/2020
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