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Ontario ranked 28th among world’s friendliest mining jurisdictions

Alberta finished first as the top Canadian mining jurisdiction in the Fraser Institute’s annual global mining survey. Three Canadian jurisdictions ranked in the top 10; Alberta (3), New Brunswick (7) and Newfoundland-Labrador (9).

Alberta finished first as the top Canadian mining jurisdiction in the Fraser Institute’s annual global mining survey.

Three Canadian jurisdictions ranked in the top 10; Alberta (3), New Brunswick (7) and Newfoundland-Labrador (9). Ontario finished 28th in the world rankings.

“Miners praise Alberta for its transparent and productive approach to mining policy,” said Kenneth Green, the Fraser Institute’s senior director of energy and natural resources in a March 3 news release. “The province offers competitive taxation regimes, sound legal systems, and relatively low uncertainty around land claims. That’s what miners look for.”

In the report’s comment section, one unidentified mining consultant described Ontario as a “horrible place to work” based on a combination of the ambiguities over the provincial government’s Far North Act; the lack of power, road and cell service infrastructure; a Mining Act that falls short of expectations.

An exploration company president cited a litany of problems ranging from “poorly enacted” mining regulations, no online staking and claim renewals, and “no resolution to Aboriginal mining claims.”

Quebec dropped in the survey rankings from 5th in 2011 to 21st worldwide in 2013, due partly to amendments in that province’s mining act.

Sweden and Finland topped the global rankings.

“The confidence mining executives have in Sweden and Finland, for example, proves that it’s possible to enact sound environmental problems and still maintain a successful mining industry,” said Green.