It’s not just about gold and diamonds anymore. When, ITI’s Deputy Minister Pamela Strand recently participated in a recent roundtable hosted by Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee as well as representatives from Alberta and Saskatchewan and the US Consul General, discussions focused on opportunities in Canada’s critical minerals sector and what can be done to secure supply chains for these essential minerals to the green economy and North Americas energy security future.

 

With the federal budget proposing to invest over $3 Billion in the critical mineral sector over the next 8 years, interest will continue to grow in the NWT’s critical mineral potential.

The Government of Canada has identified 31 minerals that it believes will position Canada as a leading supplier of critical minerals.  More than half of these minerals can be found in the NWT.

 

In her presentation to Senator Manchin on Tuesday Deputy Minister Strand highlighted the NWT as a provider of critical minerals and highlighted the NWT’s geological potential, as well the world-leading Indigenous participation that exists in the NWT mining sector and industries; and the collaborative model for exploration and development that has evolved from the NWT’s 25-year history in diamond exploration and production. 

As the world recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased appetite for investments with strong environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, performance.

 

With trending critical mineral exploration and production, new modern legislation, key infrastructure development, Indigenous partnership and a solid track-record of good environmental and socio-economic management, the NWT is well positioned to attract ESG-conscious investors and project developers.

Also in attendance for DM Strand’s presentation were Holly Monster, U.S. Consul General, Calgary; Saskatchewan Minister Jeremy Harrison; Alberta Minister Sonya Savage, and senior officials of the federal government and the Governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as industry representatives.

 

Renewed exploration activity is needed to restore levels of investment, partnership, employment and growth in the NWT’s economy. The Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories includes a commitment to Increase resource exploration and development.