Could you remind our readers of the role AEMQ plays in Québec’s mining sector and highlight the main initiatives the association is currently focusing on?

The role of AEMQ is to promote the vital contribution of mining exploration to Québec's economy as well as the sustainable and responsible exploration of Québec's mineral endowment. We represent explorers and service providers on challenges impacting the mineral industry, and we play an important role in gathering everyone together in different venues for networking opportunities such as the Explo Abitibi and the XPLOR convention which will be held in Montreal in October 3-6.

Our top priority remains to continually monitor any regulatory changes, particularly with respect to the reduction of administrative burden impacting exploration. We work closely with the government and companies to ensure everyone understands the potential impact of any changes that may arise.

In what ways can AEMQ assist companies on their journey to becoming ECOLOGO certified?

In Québec's mining segment, there are approximately 50 companies that are either ECOLOGO certified or are currently in the process of obtaining certification. We provide support for companies looking to do so. This is especially helpful for smaller exploration companies that may not have the in-house resources to go through the process on their own. I am enthusiastic about the adoption of ECOLOGO standards in the industry because it is really changing the narrative from being reactive to being proactive when it comes to several sustainability measures and initiatives. It promotes communication channels between stakeholders to be established early on.

What is your assessment of Québec’s regulatory environment when it comes to administrative processes?

Over the past decades, there has been an increase in regulations and on the administrative burden of explorers. This comes from different ministries, and one of the challenges is to coordinate all the measures in place. The current administration has provided a lot of support to the mining industry. In certain aspects, they have made great strides. In others, there is still work to do, since it is no easy task for a government to streamline its administrative processes.

To what extent does the mining industry face a skilled labor challenge, and what are potential solutions?

A challenge not unique to the mining industry is the fact that a significant percentage of the workforce is about to retire. When we look at the average age of employees in the mining sector, it becomes clear that we really need to incentivize young workers and entrepreneurs to enter the mining business. The peak of the manpower shortage is predicted to be in 2030, so we will need to implement various incentives rather than relying on a single solution. This could include increasing the amount of training initiatives for First Nations communities and looking at immigration to increase the number of people who can be trained. Ultimately, I believe that all challenges bring opportunity, and the current situation will likely translate into further innovation and automation. One of AEMQ’s main priorities is to promote the profession of the mineral exploration industry to help offset the shortage in labor.

What makes the financing environment in Québec so conducive to exploration?

Fiscal incentives related to mining exploration have had a huge impact on the robustness of the financing environment. For an exploration company, hard cash invested in your project benefits from tax credit incentives that allows you to reinvest back into your project, creating a favorable environment for success and discovery. It is like investing in R&D – you do so with the commitment that whatever you invest in will come to a discovery and amplify your initial investment. Because the industry requires so much from private investors, the measures Québec has put in place that encourage people to invest are immensely beneficial for all stakeholders. Another thing that makes Québec one of the best jurisdictions to explore in is the presence of several pension funds and government related entities that invest in and support the sector.