(Yellowknife, NT – October 6, 2014) In a powerful statement to show that the NWT is “open for business”, the government of the NWT (GNWT) has unveiled NWT Mineral Development Strategy – GNWT Implementation Plan 2014-2015, its first annual plan to support the NWT Mineral Development Strategy with appropriate actions to ensure the continued growth of the NWT minerals industry.
According to Brooke Clements, President of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines, “This implementation plan lays out the first tangible actions that are designed to improve the investment climate for mining and exploration companies in the NWT. We are hopeful that these actions will help support the continued growth of the NWT mineral resource industry. A healthy and growing mineral industry will help ensure that sustainable and long-term benefits continue to accrue to all residents of the NWT.”
In his Minister’s Message, NWT Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay stated, “Through a partnership effort with the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines, we were proud to release the NWT Mineral Development Strategy in the fall of 2013.
This Implementation Plan puts that Strategy into action by establishing concrete goals, objectives, and timelines. Putting these initiatives in place will set the wheels in motion to restore a positive investment climate, which is important if we are to discover new deposits and establish new mines to sustain and grow our economy.”
Some highlights of the implementation plan include:
• Mining Incentive Plan: Delivering a plan to encourage exploration with initial funding of $400,000 to prospectors and exploration companies;
• Geoscience Investment: Providing an additional $650,000 in geoscience research investment in each of the next two years with highlights including detailed mapping programs and state of the art information dissemination;
• Infrastructure Planning: Investing in infrastructure planning including $31 million for a 3-year energy program, $600 million for a 10-year strategic transportation plan, and $200,000 in the coming year for a resource access corridor study for the Slave Geological Province;
• NWT Minerals Marketing Campaign: A marketing campaign to inform investors that the NWT is ‘open for business’;
• Approvals Process Guidance for Proponents: The creation of a ‘Pathfinder Support Service’ through a new Client Services and Community Relations Unit within government designed to provide hands-on expert assistance for industry to efficiently navigate the regulatory process, effectively engage and consult with Aboriginal groups, and to provide clear and concise pathway documents for industry to follow;
• Support for Communities Working with Industry: Providing funding to help communities in developing capacity building plans and Engagement Roadmaps for working with industry to help them to better participate in, and benefit from, exploration and development;
• Mineral Industry – Local Business Matchmaking: Creating a new position of Northern Mineral Business Officer to connect NWT businesses to mineral industry representatives to facilitate potential contract opportunities for local businesses;
• Geoscience Field Skills Training & Career Awareness: A Geoscience Field Assistant training program, and the creation of a new position of Career Liaison Coordinator to increase NWT student awareness of the many career opportunities available in mineral exploration and mining; and
• Mineral Workforce Development Strategy: Working with the Mine Training Society and Aboriginal, Territorial and Federal governments to secure funding for a Pan-Territorial Northern Mineral Workforce Development Strategy.
The GNWT Implementation Plan 2014-2015 describes a variety of actions under the Mineral Development Strategy’s five pillars:
1. Creating a competitive edge,
2. Establishing a new regulatory environment for the NWT,
3. Enhancing Aboriginal engagement and capacity,
4. Promoting sustainability, and
5. Enriching workforce development and public awareness.
GNWT Implementation Plan 2014-2015 is a living document that can be adjusted annually to meet changing needs and it is available for download on the GNWT-ITI website by clicking here. A Performance Management Plan and Results Reporting document will track the GNWT’s performance to help ensure the Plan is meeting its objectives. The NWT Mineral Development Strategy can be downloaded here.
For more information on the NWT and Nunavut mining industries, please visit the website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Tom Hoefer, Executive Director at Tel: 867-873-5281 or email: executivedirector@miningnorth.com.