The provinceB次元官网网址檚 plan to accelerate critical mineral extraction projects B次元官网网址� at least its first phase B次元官网网址� continues to draw diverse reactions, namely for a lack of competitive fiscal policy.

Governments around the world consider minerals such as copper and nickel critical in the production of electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines: technologies deemed necessary to reduce greenhouse gases.

On Jan 22, coinciding with Premier David EbyB次元官网网址檚 appearance at a gathering of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Association for Mineral Exploration, the provincial government announced its first-phase strategic plan, promising a new critical minerals project advancement office and the release of a critical minerals atlas to support exploration and land-use planning.

Michael Goehring, Mining Association of British Columbia president and chief executive officer, said in a statement Monday that the strategy recognizes the B次元官网网址済enerational opportunityB次元官网网址� that critical minerals offer, as well as emphasizes the need to support First Nations partnerships and economic reconciliation. However, he also criticized the model for carbon tax pricing by the province.

B次元官网网址淭he mining sector believes the (strategy) lacks the foundation of a competitive fiscal framework,B次元官网网址� Goehring said in pointing to the governmentB次元官网网址檚 transition to an output-based carbon pricing system.

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While B.C.B次元官网网址檚 mining and smelting industry supports what Goehring calls a B次元官网网址渃arbon price signal,B次元官网网址� it currently pays the highest carbon tax in Canada and the world, while having the lowest GHG emissions globally. But there is no further opportunity to decarbonize, because B次元官网网址渮ero-emission haul truck technologies are not expected to be commercially available before the end of the decade, at best,B次元官网网址� Goehring said.

It is B次元官网网址渋mperativeB次元官网网址� that B次元官网网址渆xisting and prospective critical mineral minesB次元官网网址� pay a carbon tax competitive with Ontario and Quebec, he added.

Keerit Jutla, Association for the Mineral Exploration president and CEO, said his organization welcomes EbyB次元官网网址檚 acknowledgement that more action is needed, and that it is B次元官网网址渋mperative that greater emphasis is placed on competitiveness and the fiscal and regulatory policies that will attract investment in mineral exploration and mine development.B次元官网网址�

Jutla also urged speed, if B.C. wants to remain competitive with its provincial peers. Lamenting B.C.B次元官网网址檚 declining contribution in mineral exploration measured in dollars, Jutla is calling on the provincial government to step up its financial investment.

B次元官网网址淲e believe an investment of $50 million over three years is required to sufficiently fund and implement a strategy to the same level as our other provincial peers and truly complement the federal critical minerals strategy,B次元官网网址� Jutla said.

Black Press Media reached out to the provincial government for comment.