March 6, 2023
Manitoba Government Promotes Province as Top Mining Destination
A Manitoba government delegation is promoting the province as a top destination for mining investment at this week’s Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, which focuses on mineral exploration and development, Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Jeff Wharton announced today.
“Realizing our province’s critical mineral and precious metal potential benefits all Manitobans,” said Wharton. “Discussions and connections made at PDAC are invaluable in continuing to place Manitoba at the forefront of mineral developments across Canada and positioning the province as a prime destination for mineral development investment. Over 60 firms from Canada and around the world are currently investing in mineral exploration in Manitoba.”
The delegation will engage in timely discussions with existing, new and prospective industry stakeholders, distribute technical and marketing materials to attendees, and host multiple meetings and events including the Manitoba Reception this evening.
Highlights from Manitoba at the conference include:
- Drilling of 150,000 metres in nickel exploration by Vale over the past two years, a record investment in mineral exploration in Manitoba.
- Funding approval for key Manitoba stakeholders to assist in supporting the province’s mineral sector. A total of $1.8 million in grants will be provided to the Mining Association of Manitoba Inc., Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak and Communities Economic Development Corporation to support a wide variety of activities related to mineral development and Indigenous participation.
- Approximately 60 companies with exploratory permits in Manitoba, over 70 percent of which are looking for critical minerals.
- Final approval for the province’s first potash development facility to begin production. The Potash Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba, in partnership with Gambler First Nation, has completed construction on its facility near Russell and can now begin operations.
The delegation attending this year’s conference includes senior officials and departmental staff from the departments of Economic Development, Investment and Trade, Natural Resources and Northern Development, and Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations, noted Wharton.
The annual meeting and trade show is the industry’s largest mineral exploration and development conference, and has hosted over 1,100 exhibitors, 2,500 investors and 23,000 attendees from around the world.
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