Mine representatives in the Kootenays are voicing concerns on the lengthy permitting process for exploration and its impact on investment, which could be further stymied by U.S tariffs.
President of the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines Jason Jacob said that many proposed projects have been waiting for two to three years to get permits from the government in order to start exploration to search for mineral deposits and assets, which makes investment unattractive.
"The companies in the exploration stage, they need an answer right away. They can't wait two, three months," he said.
"Nobody's going to invest. Why would you invest if you don't have it?" Jacob added. "That's the problem with the system. There's too much uncertainty."
Jacob has been working in the mining industry for many decades, and he's beginning to see the same problems that brought about a slump in exploration in the late 90s return, which he said is driven by government policy and red-tape.
"I remember how the economy was back in the 90s and how exploration was, and how bad it was all the way across the board," said Jacob.
"In the late 90s, our economy was so far in the tank, the exploration industry was gone. It left the province and any young person who graduated went to Alberta or somewhere else to work, because there was nothing here. We're getting to that point now," Jacob added.
President of the Chamber of Mines for Eastern B.C David Johnston said the government's rules and regulations for mines are in a constant state of flux, making it difficult for mines to meet requirements.
"The permitting cycle is never-ending, and you're trying to meet the demands of the permitting process, and every time you talk to them, it's different," said Johnston.
"[Mines] They're acting in good faith. They're doing everything they're supposed to do, but there's always one more thing," Johnston added.
Johnston said that while permitting issues and attracting investment have always been problems for prospective mines with regulations set by the Canadian government, he's worried that U.S tariffs might make things even more difficult.
"There's always a stumbling block that seems to be place in the way of the mining industry. Tariffs are just one more thing," Johnston said.
"Investors are in it to make money, but the number one thing is financial viability over the project. A tariff, or a road closure, or a delay makes it financially unviable ... If tariffs makes your product undesirable and they [the buyer] can get that same product from somewhere else, then you might lose some business," Johnston added.
