A MIGHTY FALL

Despite competitive measures, Canada is at risk of losing its global mining dominance,

Canada is in danger of losing its global dominance in mining, despite recent government initiatives to improve competitiveness, according to a report from an industry association.

The report, by the Mining Association of Canada, comes as debate about the hollowing out of the country’s mining sector grows. Megamergers by Canada’s two largest gold companies, Barrick Gold Corp. and Gold- corp Inc., stand to erode its global influence.

The Barrick tie-up, with Channel Islands-based Randgold Resources Ltd., has already resulted in job cuts and further decentralization away from Canada, a trend that will likely increase under Barrick’s joint-venture in Nevada with Newmont Mining Corp. Meanwhile, Newmont’s proposed takeover of Goldcorp will see the combined entity headquartered in Colorado, with only a regional office in Vancouver.

“For decades, our industry has been a leader in the production of minerals and metals. A leader in mining services and supplies. A leader in mine finance. A leader in sustainability and safety, but that position is in jeopardy and will be lost without continued, decisive action at both the federal and provincial levels,” Pierre Gratton, chief executive officer of the association said in a news release.

Among the key findings in the report: Canada’s share of international exploration spending has fallen for six years in a row; Over five years, the country has lost its “top five” ranking as a producer in seven of 16 commodities where it held that position; Capital investment in the mining sector has fallen every year since 2012; and Australia has extended its lead on Canada in terms of the number of companies supplying the sector and as a percentage of total foreign direct investment.