The government is pushing five projects valued in the billions of dollars, from copper in British Columbia to tungsten in New Brunswick.
Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson. Credit: Colin McClelland / The Northern Miner Canada will lead Group of 20 nations with the fastest permits as the government’s Major Projects Office advances projects to production within two years, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said in an interview.
The government is pushing five projects valued in the billions of dollars, from copper in British Columbia to tungsten in New Brunswick, as part of the special office announced last year to co-ordinate provincial and federal permits. “From the time the project is referred to the MPO, you’ll get a conditions document within two years,” Hodgson toldon Tuesday as the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada convention in Toronto wound down. “That’ll be the best in the G20.” Canada is accelerating permit times by limiting provincial and federal duplication as countries in the West attempt to reduce their dependence on China’s mining and metals processing. After the largest amount of spending for mining in a federal budget in decades – issued last November — and further details released this week on financing other projects, Hodgson said there’s ample proof the government is doing more than saying the right things. “Like 26 deals in October and 30 deals today, like $18 billion, at what point is that not walking the talk?” he said. “We just saved Thompson with a new Canadian owner who’s dedicated to expanding the mine instead of shutting it. I mean, at what point?”to bring in partners to keep the Thompson nickel mine complex in Manitoba operating, the deal included funding from the Canada Growth Fund, a federal investment fund created to attract private capital into strategic sectors such as critical minerals. In the MPO, Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay copper mine project in Saskatchewan is due to start producing next year while Canada Nickel in Ontario may take two years to build after a construction decision expected this year. The office is also advancing Northcliff Resources’ tungsten proposal in New Brunswick, Nouveau Monde Graphite’s project in Quebec; and the Red Chris copper and gold mine expansion, owned 70-30% by Newmont and Imperial Metals , in B.C. “We are clearly focused on having a best in class, predictable permitting process,” Hodgson said. “We de-pancaked our regulatory provincial, territorial, federal relationship, where we’ve got one project, one review.” The minister officially launched a $1.5-billion First and Last Mile infrastructure fund on Tuesday that had been outlined in November’s federal budget. Hodgson listed five projects marked for $115 million of the fund to get metals from mines to markets. They were part of $165.2 million across 22 projects, and The timing for the formal launch of a $2-billion sovereign fund – which was also mentioned in the budget — depends on legislation that is being blocked by the Conservative opposition in Parliament, Hodgson said. One of the fund’s platforms, to include government equity ownership in projects, will require an investment policy. “We’ll have a series of frameworks and the at the end of the day, there’s going to be some flexibility around it,” he said. “And what we’re going to be focused on is, how do we address key constraints in our critical mineral supply chains? We’re going to help do that by catalyzing projects, probably in partnership with our allies.” Hodgson said processing is important for Canada, noting that Quebec and Glencore are close to finalizing an agreement to keep the Horne smelter running. Glencore has said environmental rules make it uneconomical. “My understanding is the there are still some open points between the Quebec government and Glencore,” the minister said. “I believe they’re very close to sorting those out. I think there’s some legislation okay that needs to pass in Quebec. And look, keeping our refining and smelting capacity on stream in Canada as a priority for this government.”LME fines PAC Global Services Spain for warehouse violationsAluminum price surges to 4-year high on Bahrain force majeure Analysts at Goldman Sachs said prices could hit as high as $3,600 a tonne if production in the region was lost for a month.Trump sends Interior Secretary to Venezuela to push oil, miningBelgian museum, US mining company at odds over colonial-era Congo KoBold received permits last year to search for lithium and other minerals in DRC and struck agreements with Kinshasa to digitize data.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Target your brain's hunger cues with this $39 'natural' GLP-1-ActivatorReviews are mixed, but some users say it’s helped curb “mindless snacking” and late-night wandering around the kitchen. Others report feeling fuller sooner at meals, and having more willpower when it comes to sugary snacks. Many reviewers have also noted improved digestion and better regularity.
Read more »
Historic preservation isn’t the villain in the debate over housing affordabilityBy practicing ‘gentle density,’ these architects create more housing for less money, using fewer natural resources.
Read more »
California should help neighborhoods in need ‘decarbonize,’ leave natural gasRegulators can approve up to 30 neighborhood decarbonization zones. Will poorer neighborhoods get first shot at climate saving energy options?
Read more »
Timucuan Parks leader Mark Middlebrook, who dedicated life to preserving Northeast Florida’s natural landscapes, diesMark Middlebrook, a driving force behind Jacksonville’s urban park system and a former executive director of the Timucuan Parks Foundation, died Sunday in Spring City, Tennessee, the foundation said.
Read more »
Florida Legislature passes 2026 Farm Bill with measures on ag equipment, public safety and natural resourcesThe legislation includes provisions spanning agriculture, public safety, natural resources, and business.
Read more »
Natural gas prices surge worldwide as Iran conflict crimps supplyThe United States and Israeli strikes over Iran have caused major disruptions across the global liquefied natural gas markets.
Read more »