We are also investing in strategic infrastructure, but we have done some significant analysis of the importance of mining, specifically diamond mining in the Northwest Territories, and our analysis shows that for every year that one diamond mine operates it's worth $250 million to our economy, so if one diamond mine closes, that is how much value is lost from our economy. If we have one that is shut down for care and maintenance, that’s had significant impact. It's 500 jobs that are lost. Our approach is to try to keep what we have and also try to attract exploration back into the Northwest Territories. It's very difficult to do, because the miners have long memories and their money has legs.
Bob McLeod on Question 9-18(2): Encouraging Mineral Exploration And Mining Developments
In the Legislative Assembly on February 18th, 2016. See this statement in context.
Question 9-18(2): Encouraging Mineral Exploration And Mining Developments
Oral Questions
February 17th, 2016
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