NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY – Nickel Belt MP Marc G. Serré recently opened the Association for Mineral Exploration conference in Vancouver on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources as part of his Parliamentary Secretary role. It was an opportunity to connect with prospectors, governments, investors, Indigenous partners. It was also an opportunity for MP Serré to share details of the developments happening back home in Northern Ontario.

There are currently 11 operational critical mineral mines and an additional 14 critical mineral projects in various phases of development in Ontario. In 2022, Ontario’s mining sector produced $13.5 billion worth of minerals, which accounted for 22% of Canada’s total production value. Northern Ontario’s mining success is recognized globally. The sector has continued to grow and is driven by the willingness of governments to work together on securing key investments, on prioritizing robust safety measures, and on the willingness of mining companies to implement net-zero practices. Canada remains a global leader in mining, processing, and exporting of mining products and technology. As the world moves forward into a more sustainable and prosperous net-zero future, critical minerals used for batteries, electric vehicles, and other green technology will be more important than ever.

This is why the Federal government revaluated and enhanced Canadian Critical Mineral Strategy in 2022 which focuses on supporting economic growth and competitiveness, advances reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, promotes climate action and strong environmental management, and more. This goes hand in hand with Budget 2023 investments such as the Clean Technology Manufacturing Tax Credit equal to 30 per cent of the cost of investments in new machinery and equipment used to extract, process, or recycle critical minerals essential for clean technology supply chains and a re-allocation of $1.5 billion within the Strategic Innovation Fund to support projects in sectors including clean technologies, critical minerals and industrial transformation.

Last month the Federal government announced the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) which will provide up to $1.5 billion in federal funding over 7 years for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. CMIF funding addresses key infrastructure gaps in the upstream segment (exploration and mining) of critical minerals value chains to:

• unlock new critical mineral resources
• support improved environmental performance at mine sites
• facilitate market access for critical minerals
• strengthen supply chains (i.e., by connecting resources to midstream processing and refining, and downstream manufacturing)

Up to $300 million is available through 2 streams:

1. Preconstruction and project development
   Funds preconstruction activities required to advance projects toward a shovel-ready state, including studies; planning; design work; assessments; infrastructure-specific consultation; knowledge sharing; and engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations, as well as other impacted communities. Projects requesting $10 or million or could be prioritized. For this first call for proposals, applications will be accepted until February 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST.
2. Infrastructure deployment
   Funds shovel-ready projects, including site preparation, construction, rehabilitation, or enhancement of infrastructure, as well as capacity-building activities and engagement in support of Indigenous and other impacted communities. Stream 2 will use a continuous intake process, meaning that applications will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

“An exciting mining revolution is taking place here in our backyards! Nickle Belt – Greater Sudbury is so fortunate to have innovations spearheaded by local entrepreneurs and trailblazing research being led by students at our post-secondary institutions. When you combine proactive partnerships with all levels of governments and with eager investors/partners, you continue to unlock Canada’s incredible mining potential,” said Serré. “The facts don’t lie. 142 mutually beneficial agreements were put in place between Indigenous communities and mining companies in Ontario in 2022. A recent report shared that the sector employs nearly 30,000 people in Northern Ontario alone” he added.

“Mining can help reduce out migration of youth in the North and remains one of our greatest financial assets. At recently hosted roundtables in partnership with MineConnect, and at other stakeholder meetings, I was able to engage with many local SMEs to hear their feedback on future opportunities and on some barriers we could address. The Federal government understands the need for collaboration with the province is essential. Were also committed to the continued improvement in the efficiency of the impact assessment and permitting processes. Other countries look to Canada and Canadian companies for the way we build partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, that we build local communities, and that we protect the environment. I know that continued collaboration will ensure we can keep being the best in the world! I encourage all eligible mining companies to apply to the CMIF without delay- the Federal government is here to work with you!” he concluded.

Quick facts

• In 2022 MP Serré announced $1,321,875 from FedNor to allow NORCAT to acquire and incorporate mining equipment powered by batteries and electric motors to support their transition to a green operation
• In 2022 MP Serré also announced $682,320 to Cambrian College to establish a BEV Lab within its Centre for Smart Mining, a nationally recognized Technology Access Centre, located in the Glencore Centre for Innovation.
• MP Serré announced $40 million to support the creation of the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network, a pan-Canadian initiative bringing together stakeholders from a wide range of fields to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative technologies to make the mining sector more productive and sustainable
• Nearly 650,000 people are employed directly and indirectly in mining across the country
• In 2020, over 11,500 Indigenous people were employed in mining
• The total value of mineral production in Canada in 2021 was $55.5 billion

Associated links

• Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund
• Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy
• FedNor invests over $2 million to position Greater Sudbury as an Electric Vehicle Battery hub
• Minister of Natural Resources Mandate Letter
• Mining Industry Canada: Mining Industry's Role in Global Critical Minerals Supply Chain Prioritized in Budget 2023

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Contact

Kaylie Dudgeon,
Special Assistant
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
705-507-2416