March 4, 2019
The NWT broke into the top ten of competitive mining jurisdictions around the globe according to an influential survey of mining companies released last week.
The Fraser Institute survey collected hundreds of responses from mining company executives covering two categories: mineral potential and public policy.
The NWT ranked the highest amongst all Canadian jurisdictions in mineral potential, ranking 4th overall worldwide. This was up from 15th one year ago.
These improvements come on the heels of a sustained campaign to sell the NWT’s world-leading Indigenous participation, defined structure for company-to-government engagement, and long history of getting projects off-the-ground in the territory.
“It’s clear the industry is getting our message,” commented Minister for Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann during the Prospector’s and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) annual trade show on March 4.
More on PDAC
Minister Schumann Leads Investment Drive, Helps Launch Canada Mines and Metals Plan
The immediate opportunities for improvement identified in the survey are in the areas of infrastructure and public policy.
It's timely as the GNWT has begun to receive good news on long-term projects like the Taltson Hydro expansion and Slave Geological Province road; and the recent introduction of the proposed Mineral Resources Act in the legislative assembly.
Read more:
Proposed Mineral Resources Act public awareness material
These were all identified as important projects under the NWT’s Mineral Development Strategy, which the GNWT’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment continues to implement.
