Minister Marks Mining Week '99

Natural Resources Minister Kennie MacAskill marked Mining Week '99 today by saying there is a proud heritage of mining in the province and current exploration projects hold good promise for the future. Mining Week '99 runs until this Saturday.

Mr. MacAskill said mining contributes about $500 million annually to the economy of Nova Scotia and currently employs about 4,000 people.

Coal, gypsum and salt mining have a long tradition in Nova Scotia and should be recognized for their contributions to the province. Mr. MacAskill said new opportunities are opening up with exploration for kaolin in the Musquodoboit Valley, zeolite in the Annapolis Valley, barite in Cape Breton and gold on the eastern shore. These projects hold good promise for future development.

"Mining must move forward in order to prosper. Prospectors and miners are by nature explorers and are always looking for new challenges. It's this spirit that opens new doors and leads to a stronger industry and contributes greatly to our economy," said the minister.

Mr. MacAskill said that the Department of Natural Resources will work closely with the mining community to help develop the industry. One recent example of this, he said, is the Prospectors Assistance Program, which provides skills-training, economic assistance for exploration and marketing advice.

"In many cases, the prospectors are the people who make the first discoveries of mineral deposits," said Mr. MacAskill. "You might say they are the future of the industry, and we have found this program to be very successful in providing them much needed assistance for their work."

During the week there will be talks in museums and displays in malls. As well, Prospectors Day will be held at the following museums: Museum of Industry, Stellarton; Fundy Geological Museum, Parrsboro; Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax; DesBrisay Museum, Bridgewater; and Yarmouth County Museum, Yarmouth.