Appetite for ‘green energy metals’ drives deals

The Buena Vista Hills cobalt - iron oxide - copper-gold project is located in Pershing County.

Ontario and Saskatchewan say the plan falls short in growing Canada’s reputation as a world leader.

Global financing earmarked specifically for exploration more than halved last year and now represents less than a quarter of the 2012 peak.

"Low-cost, mid-tier gold producers ... are going to get bought regardless of what's happening in the big ones."

Operating costs are forecasted to be of $9.9 billion.

The study is based on information collected from 33 prospectors and 172 mineral and coal exploration companies operating in British Columbia.

The mine is slated to produce 120,000 tonnes of high-grade copper annually.

Canada's mining sector is going through dramatic change, but the industry remains bullish on growth, and miners increasingly believe innovation and advances in technology will reshape the industry.

Refined metal has been flowing in significant quantities to China, reducing availability in the rest of the world.