Supporting Critical Minerals Development in Northern Ontario

Brian Zinchuk

Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online

On Oct. 9 the Government of Canada announced $11.1M for mining projects in Northern Ontario, “which will increase production of critical minerals like nickel and copper while creating good jobs and economic opportunities, including for Indigenous communities.” Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson is at the podium. X/Natural Resources Canada photo

Editor’s note: In Pipeline Online’s continuing quest to let people know exactly what this federal government is telling them on energy issues, here’s a verbatim Oct. 9 press release from Natural Resources Canada:

“Today’s investments are about fostering Northern Ontario’s mining expertise to create more jobs and drive economic growth.  It is our priority that Indigenous partners have a part to play in the development of natural resources on our way to a clean energy future. The mining industry is one of the top employers for Indigenous communities across Canada, and we want to continue to encourage collaboration between mining and Indigenous communities.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canada is a mining nation and a leader in sustainable resource management. In Northern Ontario, particularly in Nickel Belt, our strong environmental, social and governance standards will be crucial as demand for critical minerals rises. By partnering with Indigenous communities and local mining partners, we ensure responsible sourcing of essential materials while protecting our planet and economy.”

Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages

“Investing in critical minerals in Northern Ontario is vital for both our economic prosperity and future sustainability. Investing in our Indigenous communities is also fundamental to ensuring economic reconciliation. Northern Ontario has the key ingredients and partners to transition to a clean economy, and we know the right support is needed. These investments demonstrate our government’s commitment to supporting Indigenous communities and the mining and mining supply industry.”

Viviane Lapointe

Member of Parliament, Sudbury

“With our traditional territories spanning one of Canada’s key mining basins, it is critical that we take an active role in local mining activities. By owning and renting these drills, our communities will reap significant benefits, both economically and through the creation of meaningful employment opportunities.”

Craig Nootchtai

Gimaa (Chief), Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.

“This marks the beginning of an exciting new venture for us. I believe this is a great example of how we, as First Nation communities, can support mining on our traditional territories when it is carried out in a way that respects and strengthens Indigenous Peoples, as well as our culture and history.”

Larry Roque

Chief, Wahnapitae First Nation

“Canada Nickel is pleased to receive this contribution from the Government of Canada for the development of our clean energy infrastructure. With the CMIF’s support and meaningful Indigenous partnerships, Canada Nickel can integrate low-carbon grid power as we advance our Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project toward construction. Our flagship Project, anticipated to be Canada’s largest nickel mine, is expected to contribute a significant amount of nickel, cobalt and chromium to advance the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. Together, we are contributing to a future where resource development aligns with environmental stewardship and reconciliation.”

Mark Selby

CEO, Canada Nickel Company

“These proposed investments from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund will make a significant contribution toward the success of Magna Mining’s Crean Hill and Shakespeare Projects in Sudbury. We expect that these projects will benefit many stakeholders in the Sudbury region over the coming years, including the Indigenous communities and Indigenous-owned businesses that will play key roles in the development of these mines. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Canada as we bring multiple new critical mineral mines into production in Sudbury.”

Paul Fowler

Senior Vice President, Magna Mining Inc.

• Stainless steel is the largest end use for nickel, accounting for just under two-thirds of total consumption. Nickel is used as an alloying agent in the manufacture of both metal products that contain iron and those that do not. It is also used in electroplating, in which a thin layer of nickel is coated onto a metal object as a decorative feature or to provide resistance to corrosion and wear. While nickel is well known as a component in the manufacture of nickel-cadmium batteries, an important evolving use is in production of lithium-ion batteries for EVs.
• In 2022, Canada produced 143,266 tonnes of nickel in concentrate. Ontario produced 50 percent of Canada’s mined nickel.
• Ontario-based Electra Battery Materials is developing a cobalt and nickel sulfate production plant and a lithium-ion battery recycling plant north of Toronto.
• The mining industry is the top private-sector industrial employer for Indigenous people in Canada.
• Canada has developed its own critical minerals strategy with the aim of advancing the development of these resources and related value chains to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and support advanced technology and manufacturing.
• The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy addresses five core objectives:o   supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job creation;

  o   promoting climate action and strong environmental management;

  o   enhancing global security and partnerships with allies;

  o   advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; and

  o   fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and communities.

• Canada’s whole-of-government approach to critical mineral development is collaborative, forward-looking, iterative, adaptive and long-term. The initiatives presented in the Strategy will be implemented and refined in collaboration with provincial, territorial, Indigenous, industry and other Canadian and international partners.
• Budget 2022 allocated $100 million over five years starting in 2022–23, to renew and expand the Indigenous Partnerships Office (IPO) and the INRP Program to make it a national natural resource sector-wide program.
• At least $25 million of the $80 million in INRP contribution funding is to be dedicated to early engagement and Indigenous communities’ capacity building to support their participation in the Critical Minerals Strategy.
• The CMIF is a key program under the Strategy to support enabling clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to increase Canada’s supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals.
• The CMIF supports strategic priorities such as decarbonizing industrial mining operations, strengthening supply chains through transportation infrastructure and advancing economic reconciliation by supporting the participation of Indigenous Peoples in infrastructure and critical minerals projects.
• In addition, the federal government is helping to develop Canada’s abundant critical minerals through NRCan’s Regional Energy and Resource Tables. These regional tables are joint partnerships with individual provinces and territories — in collaboration with Indigenous partners and with the input of key stakeholders — to identify and accelerate shared economic priorities for a low-carbon future in the energy and resource sectors.

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• 0049 Scotsburn Dental soft guitar
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• 0041 DEEP Since 2018 now we are going to build
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• 0032 IWS Summer hiring rock trailer music
• 0022 Grimes winter hiring
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