Province launches mineral strategy

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This article was published 26/07/2023 (982 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A new potash mine near Russell is getting assistance to expand from the Manitoba government as part of a new provincial mining strategy announcement made on Tuesday.

The new plan, titled the “Manitoba Critical Minerals Strategy,” was touted by Premier Heather Stefanson at a media conference as part of her government’s plan to turn the province from a have-not to a have province and create jobs in all regions.

It includes the establishment of a new advisory leadership table to consult with Indigenous groups on mining projects and establishing a geoscience fund to pay for research and collaboration with Manitoba post-secondary institutions.

The program wants to make sure Manitoba’s mineral exploration tax credit is aligned with its federal counterpart, create a new northern mining conference and create new incentives to grow the provincial minerals sector.

It also includes a short-term, $1.03-million loan from the Communities Economic Development Fund to help the Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) mine in Harrowby, near Russell, work toward a net-zero emissions target.

The mine, which is Manitoba’s first to extract potash, officially opened in early June.

Last month, the Sun reported that the mine — which has ownership stakes from Gambler First Nation, Birdtail Sioux First Nation and Waywayseecappo First Nation — was looking to switch from a diesel-powered boiler to a hydroelectrical solution connected to Manitoba Hydro’s grid.

This loan, the province said, will expedite the electrification process.

On top of that, the province has granted PADCOM the right to explore for potash on Crown land adjacent to the mine site.

In a media release, PADCOM president Daymon Guillas expressed gratitude for the province’s assistance in establishing a low-impact, sustainable operation.

“Access to explore more of the potash resource, in partnership with Gambler First Nation, will allow us to evolve from pilot stage to commercial production, including more investment in mining activity and logistics to get Manitoba potash to the world and this will benefit all Manitobans,” Guillas was quoted as saying.

On behalf of his community, Gambler First Nation Chief David LeDoux spoke at the announcement about the opportunities the mine is providing.

“Manitoba is actively looking to reconcile the losses of our resources by giving back to First Nations,” LeDoux said. “Gambler First Nation is definitely pleased to be an active partner in this project. The approach to this development respects the land, respects the environment and the people in our region.”

Addressing the new strategy, the premier said it will give Manitoba the chance to become a leader in the country’s mineral sector and an economic powerhouse, likening the opportunity to Alberta’s oilsands and Saskatchewan’s potash sector.

“Manitoba is like the Costco of critical minerals; if you need it, we have it,” Stefanson said. “Gold, diamonds, nickel, lithium, potash and the list goes on.”

A release from the province stated that Manitoba contains deposits of 29 of the 31 minerals listed on Canada’s 2021 Critical Minerals List.

It also stated that Manitoba rose from 37th on the Fraser Institute’s investment attractiveness list contained within its annual survey of mining companies in 2020 to 14th in 2022. The province’s goal is to eventually reach the top 10.

During the conference, both Stefanson and Economic Development Minister Jeff Wharton alleged that the Manitoba NDP and their leader Wab Kinew’s mineral strategy would be to leave them in the ground.

In a statement, NDP Natural Resources and Northern Development critic Tom Lindsey accused the governing Progressive Conservatives of making Manitoba’s mining industry worse off during their tenure.

“For seven years, Heather Stefanson has failed on mining in our province,” Lindsey wrote.

“Stefanson and (former premier Brian) Pallister’s cuts meant Manitoba went from the second-best mining jurisdiction in the world in 2016 to 32nd in 2021. That’s their record. Since 2017, three mines in Manitoba have closed, the PCs cut the Mining Reserve Fund, and Manitoba has lost 1,700 mining jobs. Stefanson’s PCs’ record of cuts and closures is failing Manitobans, and empty election-year promises won’t change that.”

The party also pointed to a speech Kinew made to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce promising to enhance mineral development if the NDP win this fall’s provincial election.

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