Yellowknife — January 30, 2023
Last week Cabinet members and officials from the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) attended the Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) Roundup conference in Vancouver to promote the territory’s mineral resource, exploration, and development sector.
Premier Caroline Cochrane was joined by Minister of Industry Tourism and Investment Caroline Wawzonek and Minister of Infrastructure Diane Archie. They met with Indigenous and industry leaders as well as various levels of territorial, provincial and federal governments to talk about the territory’s world-renowned environmental-social-governance (ESG) practices and the application of ESG through an Indigenous lens (ESG-I). They made connections with current and future partners and showcased the NWT’s strong critical minerals potential.
At the conference, Minister Wawzonek attended a panel discussion on Critical Minerals and Competitiveness alongside Ontario Minister of Mines George Pirie and British Columbia Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation Josie Osborne.
Networking events hosted by the GNWT celebrated women in mining, highlighted the territory’s potential role as a leader in green energy and reiterated the importance of federal investment in three transformative infrastructure projects – Taltson Hydro Expansion, Slave Geological Province Corridor and the Mackenzie Valley Highway.
What the NWT has learned and experienced in its 100-year history with the mining industry has placed it on the leading edge of today’s conversations around sustainable development and responsible mining practices.
The NWT’s ability to meet the demand for critical minerals, coupled with its world-renowned ESG and ESG-I practices, infrastructure advances, modern legislation and made-in-the-NWT regulatory environment make it an attractive place to do business. The territorial government will continue to share this message with investors, partners, and all levels of provincial, territorial and federal governments.
Quote(s)
“As we strive to strengthen the economy of the Northwest Territories, it is crucial that we actively seek out investment opportunities in exploration and development. The GNWT is committed to collaborating with Indigenous governments to bring prosperity to our residents. Responsible resource development plays a vital role in achieving this goal. We are proud to be at Roundup to demonstrate our support for responsible resource development projects that will benefit NWT communities and residents.”
-Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
“Roundup is a key event in our ongoing promotion and marketing of the NWT’s resource exploration and development potential. With Canada’s recent announcement of a Critical Minerals Strategy, we are in a pivotal moment for the NWT where resource availability, technology, market demand and global interest are coming together to create extraordinary opportunities for investment in our territory.”
- Caroline Wawzonek, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
“A strong economy depends on public infrastructure like roads and energy transmission. Attending 2023 AME Roundup has allowed me to make essential in-person connections with industry and government leaders as we continue to seek out funding for projects that will help address the NWT’s infrastructure gaps like the Taltson Hydro Expansion, the Mackenzie Valley Highway, and the Slave Geological Province Corridor.”
- Diane Archie, Minister of Infrastructure
Quick facts
- Twenty-nine representatives of the Government of the Northwest Territories attended AME Roundup this year. The total cost of their participation will be released publicly once fully compiled.
- Approximately 100 Indigenous government representatives from the NWT attended.
- Canada has identified 31 minerals that they believe will position Canada as a leading supplier of critical minerals. Half of these can be found in the NWT.
- The NWT is one of the few regions in Canada that can call itself a producer of critical minerals. Currently we have six critical minerals projects that are in early mining and advanced exploration phases.
- Thanks to the success of the Cheetah Resources’ Nechalacho rare earth elements project, the NWT already holds claim to having the first rare earths mine in Canada, second in North America.
- The Nechalacho project is the first link in an international mine-to-motor supply chain that will see NWT rare earths processed for use in German-made electric vehicles. And it is the first project in Canada that has seen an Indigenous company leading mining operations in its own traditional territory.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Drew Williams
Assistant Director Strategic Communications
Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 767-9202 ext. 63037