Canada Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson on June 29th announced investments of up to $73-million planned for 12 projects across Canada to advance mining and the infrastructure needed to connect Canadian critical minerals to global markets.
The country has been on a drive to position itself as a stable supplier of the mineral resources that power clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence.
The new investments include $51.5-million through the First and Last Mile Fund for five projects to advance critical minerals production and supply chains; $19.6-million under the Energy Innovation Programme for five projects to advance clean energy and industrial decarbonisation technologies that strengthen Canada’s economic and climate competitiveness; and almost $2-million under the Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships programme for the Tahltan Central government’s project to co-develop, assess and participate in decision-making on major critical mineral resource projects.
Hodgson believes that, together, these projects demonstrate how Canada is unlocking its full potential through clean innovation, Indigenous partnership and strategic infrastructure that connects resources to global markets and supports trade diversification. “By acting now, Canada is building the strongest, most sustainable mining sector in the world,” the Minister states.
Notably, the First and Last Mile Fund builds on the success of the country’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund and is supported by $1.5-billion in federal funding.
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