The Manitoba government is investing an additional $5 million to improve and modernize systems that support mineral exploration and mining in Manitoba, helping position the province as a global leader in responsible mineral development, Natural Resources and Northern Development Minister Greg Nesbitt announced today.
In a media release, the Minister said “Our government is focused on attracting new investment into Manitoba’s mining sector and increasing Indigenous participation in mineral development activities. We want the world to know that Manitoba is open for business and through this new investment we are accelerating Manitoba’s position as a world leader for responsible mineral development.”
The additional funds will be used to support a variety of activities including improvements to streamline regulatory processes and enhance the department’s internal capacity to meaningfully consult and engage with First Nations and Métis communities, the minister noted.
“As critical as minerals are to our economy here in Manitoba, it is equally critical for governments to invest in the capacity to facilitate an effective regulatory regime,” said Stacy Kennedy, president, Mining Association of Manitoba Inc. “We are pleased that the Manitoba government is committed to the effective pursuit of our sustainable resource extraction for the good of all Manitobans.”
To respond successfully to the increased demand for exploration work permits, Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development will increase the complement of staff that review, assess and process mining applications by 50 per cent – an addition of 19 new full-time employees, added the minister. The increased staff capacity will ensure the province is able to review and process mining and other resource sector permit applications in a timely manner that better meets industry needs.
“Mining is a long-time contributor to Manitoba’s economic prosperity, and there is tremendous potential for additional opportunities and job creation in the sector that will benefit everyone,” Nesbitt said.
The minister noted three other initiatives will be implemented to further encourage mineral development in Manitoba:
– the Assessment Credit Doubling Program will be extended until the end of 2023, with focused changes to promote the exploration of critical minerals;
– costs associated with Heritage Resource Impact Assessment studies will now be eligible for assessment work credits, which are applied toward maintaining a mineral disposition in good standing; and
– the Manitoba Geological Survey released an extensively revised one-to-one million-scale bedrock geology map of Manitoba, now available for download on the Geological Survey website at https://gov.mb.ca/iem/info/libmin/OF2022-2.pdf This new map can be viewed at the Manitoba booth at the 2022 Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention, being held Nov. 14 and 15 in Winnipeg.
This $5-million investment, staffing increases and incentives enhance the Manitoba government’s earlier commitments to prioritize the mining sector and seize global partnership opportunities.
Earlier this year, the Manitoba government renewed the Mining and Mineral Development Fund agreement with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, which administers the fund, to provide $10 million over three years to support the mineral sector supply chain. This renewed agreement represents a 66 per cent increase in funding to support mining and mineral development initiatives.
For more information on Manitoba’s mining industry, visit https://manitoba.ca/mines/
