Ottawa announces nearly $25M in federal investments for critical mineral projects in northern Ontario

Ottawa continues to invest heavily in the critical minerals sector in northern Ontario.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson announced nearly $25 million in federal funding for critical mineral projects during visits in Thunder Bay and Sudbury this week.

"There are enormous opportunities in Ontario for critical minerals," Wilkinson told CBC News.

In the northeast, those investments included $8.4 million in conditionally approved funding provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) for several companies.

Among those projects is up to $6.8 million to help connect the Crawford Nickel Sulphide project, north of Timmins, to Ontario's electricity grid.

The conditionally approved funding also includes up to $1.6 million for Magna Mining Inc. to help the company power its Shakespeare and Crean Hill mines with clean electricity and connect the Shakespeare mine to the Ontario highway system.

"We believe that these investments will make a significant contribution towards the development and ultimately the success of both our Crean Hill and Shakespeare projects," said Paul Fowler, a senior vice-president with Sudbury-based Magana Mining.

"By augmenting our investments in road infrastructure and renewable grid power these investments will materially accelerate progress and development at these mines, meaning that we can create new jobs here in Sudbury and achieve new critical mineral production in Canada."

Wilkinson's announcement also included $2.7 million in conditional funding for Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe Inc. and Taighwenini Technical Services Corporation, the economic development corporations of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation, respectively.

The money will allow them to purchase two production mining drills, which will help with the revitalization of Vale's Stobie Mine in Greater Sudbury.

The mine's revitalization is a nearly $1-billion joint project of Vale, Thiess, United Steel Workers and local First Nations to produce nickel and copper.

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Chief Craig Nootchtai saidthe new drills will create jobs in his community.

"We're looking at the 16 drillers and driller helpers to manage these drills and that's a wonderful opportunity for our young people right now," he said.

"We're going through a process to hire individuals so that they'll be operating these drills as well."