Before introducing the speakers, the chairman warned “the press is present, so be careful what you say.” I shrunk into my seat, not knowing if being a blogger qualified me or disqualified me as “press.” I was at the AME BC Speaker Series breakfast that took place this morning on a sunny day in Vancouver BC. Luckily I was impressed by the presentations and heard no scurrilous remarks, so it is easy and fun to write this report.
The first presentation was by Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President and CEO of NovaGold Resources. He reviewed the history and current status of the Galore Creek Mine in Northern BC. You have to admire his leadership to this point.
Next was Curtis Rattray, Chairperson, Tahltan Central Council. Like my son, he studied political science, so my paternal instinct were awakened. Those political science graduates are always nice people, but they are so damn smart, and see the world through such different glasses to the rest of us that it scares me. I can never better my son in an argument about defense, world peace, morality, or politics. (He is on the USS Chousin in the Gulf right now–so I grant he talks from experience.) Likewise Curtis Rattray impressed, inspired, and scared me by the forceful logic of his arguments, his clear perspectives, and the unusual stances he defended. For example, he says the agreement between NovaGold and the Tahltan is a first, low step, not a high bar that will be difficult for others to reach. He is a person worth hearing; I predict he will change the future.
Finally Don Lindsay, President and CEO of Teck Cominco spoke. The ringing phrase he repeated was “Quality of Dialogue.” His point was that mining companies invest in countries where there is quality dialogue. Clearly he believes BC qualifies, and that the Tahltan nation qualifies, for Teck Cominco is making a major commitment to Galore.
Personally, I hope there were many other nasty press people in the audience, for surely one cannot hear what was said over cold scrambled eggs and gummy ham, without being at least somewhat impressed by how different things are today in mining than they were but a few short years ago.
As always the prize will go to those companies and those peoples and those political jurisdictions that find a way to the future and which refuse to be held back by corruption, favoritism, special interests, a fear of change, and a dream of a golden age that never existed. I submit that Galore Creek is possibly a good example of the future of successful mining. As a blogger I would love to hear the contrary arguments.
And finally to justify to my editor the title of this blog, I recommend that the mining industry fund more degrees in political science.
