Focus on Mineral Development Leads to Good Jobs, Economic Growth for Northern Manitoba: Moses
The Manitoba government continues to strategically fund mineral development projects through the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) and undertake consultation and engagement to support a thriving mineral development sector, Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses announced today ahead of Manitoba Minerals Week, May 20 to 24.
“Manitoba is rich with critical minerals, giving us the opportunity to grow the economy and create good jobs for Manitobans, while making the province a low-carbon leader in the world,” said Moses. “Our government is making strategic investments and developing a critical minerals strategy that will capitalize on that opportunity, while ensuring economic prosperity and reconciliation in northern and rural Manitoba.”
The Manitoba government is providing $1.38 million to nine mineral development projects through the MMDF. The MMDF provides funding for economic development and mining projects that create Indigenous partnerships, increase local employment and stimulate investment in northern Manitoba. Manitoba was just named one of the top 10 most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world, the minister noted.
“Mineral development is an economic horse in Manitoba,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and chair of the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund board. “It provides increased opportunities for partnerships and development along with employment opportunities that will strengthen and greatly benefit communities in the north and across the province. Supporting and investing in projects that contribute to sustainable mineral development will help position Manitoba as a leader in the mineral sector.”
The funding provided to the nine projects is expected to create a total of 58 short- and long-term jobs in northern Manitoba, as well as the formation of 10 community and Indigenous partnerships, the minister said.
“The MMDF support to CBSGeoscience Ltd. allows a small, private company to apply leading-edge technology to an exciting project in an established mining camp that normally would be beyond our financial capacity,” said Dr. Chris Beaumont-Smith, president, CBSGeoscience Ltd. “We are grateful to the MMDF technical committee for its recognition of the merits of our proposal.”
The federal government has identified 31 minerals as critical for promoting green energy and sustainable economic success. Manitoba, which is sixth on the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies’ Investment Global Attractiveness Index, has 29 of these 31 critical minerals. Critical minerals are crucial for Manitoba’s growth as a low-carbon leader and are essential to developing clean technologies, energy storage systems, electric vehicles and other technologies that advance net-zero targets, noted the minister.
For more information on critical minerals in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/iem/index.html. For more information on the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, visit https://mmdf.ca/.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
For more information:
- Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
- Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: [email protected].
- Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: [email protected].
