BY SHONDELL SABAD, SENIOR STRATEGIC ADVISOR AT THE ALBERTA ENTERPRISE GROUP

The Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2024 offers both recognition and perspective for Alberta’s mining industry.  Notably, our neighbours in Saskatchewan have once again demonstrated their leadership by ranking among the world’s top 10 mining jurisdictions for the fifth consecutive year.

Here in Alberta, our overall ranking stands at 27th globally, but the trend is moving in the right direction.  Impressively, Alberta ranks 9th in the world on the Policy Perception Index (PPI), which measures the attractiveness of a jurisdiction’s policy environment.  The PPI considers factors such as regulatory certainty, taxation, quality of infrastructure, legal frameworks, environmental rules, and the fairness of permitting processes.  This strong showing signals that, from a policy standpoint, Alberta is an increasingly attractive destination for mining investment.

The mining sector is more than just an economic driver; it is a foundation for prosperity.  In Alberta, mining and quarrying (excluding oil and gas) contributed over $3 billion to GDP in 2023 and supported thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the province.  Alberta produces potash and is developing world-class deposits of lithium and rare earth elements; key inputs for electric vehicles, batteries, and advanced manufacturing.  Although often overlooked, mining is an important and growing sector of the Alberta economy.

AEG members understand that sustainable growth in mining means not just extracting resources, but also creating value-added opportunities and attracting global capital.  With a competitive policy framework already in place, Alberta has a clear opportunity to climb the rankings and solidify its position as a mining leader.

Want to know more? Read the full Fraser Institute report here: Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2024.