Northern BC: the Powerhouse of BC’s Mining Industry

$69 billion in Economic Activity from 24 Proposed Northern BC Mining Projects

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Twenty-four mining projects in Northern British Columbia (BC), representing $69 billion in economic activity, have the potential to deliver major economic benefits for the province and Canada at a time of heightened global instability and slowing provincial and national economies.

“Mining is one of the biggest employment and economic opportunities British Columbians will see in a lifetime. Nowhere is this more evident than in Northern BC, where mining holds the key to thousands of well-paying jobs, community stability, and long-term economic security,” said Michael Goehring, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC (MABC).

MABC’s Northern BC Mining Economic Impact Study, examines 24 Northern BC mining projects in advanced stages of development. The study concludes the near-term economic impact of their construction represents over $40 billion in investment, more than $21 billion in pay cheques, and government revenues exceeding $11 billion. Over several decades, the ongoing operation of the 24 mines would deliver an estimated $661 billion in economic activity.

“To fully realize the nation building opportunity these projects offer, it is essential to accelerate permitting processes, enabling final investment decisions to be made and construction to begin,” said Goehring.

The study, which looks at mines under development in the Northwest, North Central and Northeast regions of BC, includes projects such as: Artemis Gold’s Blackwater (EP2) expansion, Centerra Gold’s Kemess Mine, Thesis Gold’s Lawyers-Ranch, and Telkwa Mining’s Tenas project.

“The Province has made progress in moving mining projects forward. Now is the time to build on that momentum by making mining a priority and doubling down to get more mines built and British Columbians working in every region of our province,” Goehring said.

The provincial and federal governments have recognized the strong economic and nation building potential of BC mining. Recent initiatives undertaken in Northern BC to support mining include the Province’s Northwest Strategy, legislation to expedite the construction of the North Coast Transmission Line, the acquisition of Stewart Bulk Terminals by the Tahltan and Nisga’a Nations and Arrow Transportation Systems, and joint federal and provincial investment of $195 million in infrastructure upgrades and improvements to Northwest BC highways.

About the Study
MABC engaged Mansfield Consulting Inc. to assess the potential economic impact of 16 proposed critical mineral, five precious metal, and three steelmaking coal mine projects in BC. Data for the study were collected from interviews, technical reports, economic assessments, and feasibility studies published by the proponents and available on the SEDAR website.

Mansfield Consulting Inc. provides specialized consulting services on economic and statistical issues. Mansfield Consulting Inc.’s Principal is Ed Mansfield Ph.D. who has more than 30 years of experience providing consulting services to public and private companies, professional associations, industry organizations, and government agencies.

To view the media backgrounder and MABC’s 2026 Northern BC Economic Impact Study, click here.

About the Mining Association of British Columbia
MABC is the voice of British Columbia’s steelmaking coal, metal, and mineral producers, smelters, and advanced development companies. Our industry benefits all British Columbians and supports more than 40,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 small, medium, and Indigenous affiliated businesses in every corner of the province through an annual spend of $3.7 billion on goods and services. Our members’ products have among the lowest carbon footprints globally and are helping the world transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future; safely and responsibly.

For more information
Jayne Czarnocki
Director, Communications
Mining Association of British Columbia
Cell: 778-957-2597
Email: jczarnocki@mining.bc.ca

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