The leading economic industry drivers for Fort St. James are mining/mineral exploration and forestry.
In 2011 there were 10 major mineral exploration projects taking place in and around the region north of Fort St. James. Mt. Milligan is a copper and gold mine 90km North of Fort St. James, scheduled to begin operations in 2013. Mt. Milligan is estimated to have a 22 year life span and is British Columbia’s first major mine construction in over a decade.
In 2011 the Ministry of Forests and Range reported 21,714 loads of timber being shipped to local sawmills in Fort St. James. On average each load contained 50 cubic metres of wood, indicating about 1,085,700 cubic metres of wood being shipped through area licensees. Total annual allowable cut for all Fort St. James licensees (including First Nations Licensees) is 1,577,116 cubic metres.
To learn more about community growth and economic development indicators read the Economic Development Report 2011 A similar report is being drafted highlighting growth and development opportunities for 2012.
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