For B.C.’s resource sector, 2024 was a year of openings and closings, beginnings and endings. While one cornerstone industry, forestry, was battered with sawmill closures, it was something of a banner year for mining, and oil and gas. …Here are some highlights and lowlights from 2024: Forestry – The year began with Paper Excellence announcing in January that it would “indefinitely” shut down its paper-producing operation at its Catalyst Crofton mill, but would keep operating the pulp side of the mill, which has close to 400 employees. The same month, West Fraser Timber Co. announced the permanent closure of its sawmill in Fraser Lake. In May, Canfor Corp. announced the permanent closure of its Polar sawmill in Bear Lake, and the suspension of its planned reinvestment in its Houston mill, which it had shuttered in 2023. In September, Canfor announced the closure of its Plateau sawmill in Vanderhoof, and its sawmill in Fort St. John.