ASSET MAP FOR BC’S MINING & ENERGY SECTOR GENOME BRITISH COLUMBIA Vision Genomics will revolutionize many aspects of our lives and provide solutions to humankind’s challenges. Mission Genome British Columbia leads academia, government and industry in the growth of a world-class genomics R&D cluster to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to British Columbia, Canada and beyond, through: ‒ Excellent projects and technology platforms, ‒ Innovative applications for the life sciences cluster, ‒ Strategic regional, national & international collaborations, and ‒ Proactive leadership in exploring societal impacts of genomics. Genomics is the science that aims to decipher and understand the entire genetic information of an organism (i.e. microorganisms, plants, animals and humans) encoded in DNA and corresponding complements such as RNA, proteins and metabolites. The knowledge and innovations emerging from this field are finding solutions to complex biological challenges, while at the same time raising questions of societal and economic importance. Genomics has already brought huge economic and societal gains to Canadians through better healthcare, improving food quality, safety and production and protecting our environment and natural resources. Looking ahead, genomics will be the foundation of Canada's growing bio- economy (all economic activity derived from life science-based research), which is estimated to be responsible for some 2.25 per cent of GDP, or about $38 billion, by 2017. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 2 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 3 An Overview of BC’s Mining and Energy Sector ......................................................... 4 The Mining Subsector ............................................................................................................... 4 The Energy Subsector ............................................................................................................... 5 Markets and Competitive Position of the Mining and Energy Sector in BC .............................................................................................................................................................. 7 The Mining Subsector ............................................................................................................... 7 The Energy Subsector ............................................................................................................... 8 BC’SMINING AND ENERGY SECTOR ASSETS ................................................................................. 11 Natural Resources ........................................................................................................................ 11 The Mining Subsector ............................................................................................................. 11 The Energy Subsector ............................................................................................................. 12 Industry Assets ............................................................................................................................. 13 Companies ....................................................................................................................................... 13 Infrastructure ................................................................................................................................... 22 Regulatory Environment ............................................................................................................... 23 Industry and Professional Associations ..................................................................................... 26 Suppliers, Service Providers and Consultants .......................................................................... 31 Innovation Assets ................................................................................................................................ 33 Research Capacity ........................................................................................................................... 33 Investment Landscape ................................................................................................................... 39 APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................. 44 Appendix 1: Mines in BC ................................................................................................................... 44 Appendix 2: Energy and Energy Supporting Companies in BC and of Interest to BC ........ 53 Appendix 3: Mining and Related Associations in BC and of Interest to BC .......................... 57 Appendix 4: Energy and Related Associations in BC and of Interest to BC .......................... 61 Appendix 5: Major Suppliers and Consultants Serving BC’s Mining and Energy Sector .... 64 Appendix 6: Key Mining, Energy, Environment, and Genomics Researchers in BC ............ 76 Appendix 7: Significant Mining and Energy Research Projects Funded in Canada ............. 98 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BC’s abundant energy and mineral resources have enabled development of an innovative, growing energy and mining sector. The percentage of total provincial GDP attributable to mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction was 5% in 2012. Despite year-to-year fluctuations in mineral, metal, and energy prices, global demand for these commodities continues to grow. The recently signed free trade agreement with Korea is expected to further boost coal, metal and gas exports from BC. However, given the naturally limited supply of these resources, there is increasing pressure both to maximize the cost efficiency and to minimize the environmental impact of mining and energy operations which yields opportunities for applied research and innovation. A competitive industry landscape, including companies, industry associations and service suppliers, an advantageous regulatory framework, and key enabling infrastructure for delivery of mining and energy products, provide incentives for investment in and development of this sector in BC. Nineteen mines are currently operating in BC (9 metal, 10 coal) and several are in late stages of permitting. The major commodities mined in BC are coal, copper, silver, and zinc. BC holds Canada’s second largest unconventional gas reserves. Current estimates indicate that there is potentially 1,200 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of shale gas in northeast BC which forms the basis of the Province’s recent Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) strategy. Most major oil and gas companies have operations in exploration, production and processing of natural gas in BC. With its proximity to Asia, BC is also an important enabler of getting extracted resources from the rest of Canada to new markets via rail, pipelines and ocean transport. The scale of activities in exploration, operations and transportation in the sector requires careful assessment of risk to environment and development of mitigation strategies. In addition to industry assets, the mining and energy sector in BC is supported by significant innovation assets. These include strong mining and energy research capacity in research centres and institutes, education and training programs, and a robust investment environment and funding opportunities. BC is home to significant breadth and depth of mining, energy, and enabling technology researchers across its 25 publically funded higher education institutions in addition to the intensive research underway in many mining, oil and gas companies. Within the higher education sector, particular research strengths exist in geoexploration, production, and remediation. The Province supports more than 40 Canada Research and other endowed Chairs with expertise relevant to the sector, hosted by 6 of the province’s colleges and universities: University of Victoria, University of Northern BC, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, UBC and UBC Okanagan. Many sector-relevant and government or regulatory agencies listed in such as Environment Canada and NRCan also engage in research programs. BC Mining, Energy, and Environment Asset Map As at May 2014 2 BC has also built significant infrastructure and enabling capacity for genome sciences. Genome Canada and Genome BC in particular have enabled development of considerable genomic expertise and infrastructure in the province. This capacity is now deployed to address research questions across many different disciplines including the energy and mining sectors. In addition, all BC universities host laboratories and equipment capable of sequencing and interpreting genomic information. As the price of sequencing declines, genomics is becoming a standard tool for researchers to better understand biological processes. Several longstanding and more recent funding programs offer support for research, development, and/or commercialization activities in mining and energy sector in BC. These programs present opportunities for growth, development, and sustainability for innovation using genomics in the mining and energy sector in BC. INTRODUCTION The mining and energy sector provides essential raw materials and fuel sources for industries and homes worldwide. In addition, mining and energy provide