WHITEHORSE, YT ,
Sept. 21,
2024 /CNW/ - Investments in critical minerals
infrastructure are essential to enable Canada to seize the generational opportunity
of a low-carbon economy and capitalize on our rich mineral
resources. Canada is well
positioned to be a global leader and first-class producer of a wide
variety of critical minerals that are essential to power the clean
economy, and, in turn, create good jobs and support economic
opportunities across critical mineral value chains — from upstream
exploration and extraction to downstream processing, manufacturing
and recycling.
Yesterday, Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for the
Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable
Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources,
highlighted an important announcement of up to $40 million in funding, pending final due
diligence from Natural Resources Canada, for critical minerals
infrastructure developments in the Yukon. This funding would be provided through
the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).
The Government of Yukon is
seeking to undertake pre-feasibility activities to advance a
765-kilometre, high-voltage transmission line network that would
connect the Yukon electrical grid
to the North American grid in B.C. This regional project has
proposed energy infrastructure located in two priority regions for
critical minerals development — Yukon's Cassiar and Tanana regions, and B.C.'s
Golden Triangle. The transmission line could support projects
producing critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, molybdenum,
nickel, platinum group metals, tungsten and zinc in the
Yukon and northern B.C.
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund is a key program under
the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to address infrastructure
gaps and enable sustainable critical minerals production and
connect resources to markets through various clean energy,
electrification and transportation infrastructure projects. Future
funding decisions for projects under the CMIF to further critical
minerals infrastructure development are also expected in the coming
months.
This project is the result of close collaboration under the
Yukon Regional Energy and Resource
Tables and is key to facilitating critical minerals development in
the Yukon.
Critical minerals are essential components in products used for
clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, electrical
transmission lines and batteries. The Yukon's mining sectors provide many of the
building blocks of clean technologies needed to fight climate
change and build a clean economy. Across the country, clean energy
solutions are providing enormous economic opportunity for
Canada.
Quotes
"I am pleased to highlight that the Yukon is home to the third conditionally
approved project under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy's
flagship program, the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund.
Developing the necessary infrastructure to access and transport our
rich critical mineral resources is a key element in our ability to
seize the generational opportunity before us. Connecting the
Yukon's grid to northern BC will
provide increased opportunities for the Yukon's future."
Dr. Brendan
Hanley
Member of Parliament for the Yukon
"The Grid Connect Project is more than an energy initiative: it
presents a transformative opportunity for all Yukoners. By
delivering clean, affordable and reliable clean energy, this
project will not only power our homes but also drive economic and
social growth. I thank our partners in British Columbia and the federal government
for their collaboration on this important project, which will
positively impact our northern communities. This is a proud
milestone for our government on the path toward a more sustainable
energy future."
The Honourable Ranj Pillai
Premier of the
Yukon
"This project will connect Canada's two most western jurisdictions,
helping bring the Yukon on to the
North American power grid. It marks a significant step in our
shared journey to build a more connected and resilient energy
landscape for Yukoners while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. I
extend my deepest thanks to everyone whose hard work and
determination made this vision a reality. I look forward to seeing
how it will enhance clean energy in the Yukon, help protect our incredible natural
landscapes and fuel new opportunities for economic growth."
The Honourable John Streicker
Yukon's Minister of Energy, Mines and
Resources
Quick Facts
- Canada has developed its own
critical minerals strategy with the aim of advancing the
development of these resources and related value chains to drive
the transition to a low-carbon economy and support advanced
technology and manufacturing.
- The Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy addresses
five core objectives:
- supporting economic growth, competitiveness and job
creation;
- promoting climate action and strong environmental
management;
- enhancing global security and partnerships with allies;
- advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; and
- fostering diverse and inclusive workforces and
communities.
- Canada's whole-of-government
approach to critical mineral development is collaborative,
forward-looking, iterative, adaptive and long-term. The initiatives
presented in the Strategy will be implemented and refined in
collaboration with provincial, territorial, Indigenous, industry
and other Canadian and international partners.
- The CMIF is a key program under the Strategy to support
enabling clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects
necessary to increase Canada's
supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals.
- The CMIF supports strategic priorities such as
decarbonizing industrial mining operations, strengthening supply
chains through transportation infrastructure and advancing economic
reconciliation by supporting the participation of Indigenous
Peoples in infrastructure and critical minerals projects.
- In addition, the federal government is helping to develop
Canada's abundant critical
minerals through NRCan's Regional Energy and Resource Tables.
These regional tables are joint partnerships with individual
provinces and territories — in collaboration with Indigenous
partners and with the input of key stakeholders — to identify and
accelerate shared economic priorities for a low-carbon future in
the energy and resource sectors.
Related Products
- Canada Announces Significant Funding to Unlock More Critical
Minerals Development in Northern British
Columbia and the Yukon
Associated Links
- Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy
- Government of Canada Launches $1.5-Billion Critical Minerals Infrastructure
Fund
- Canada and B.C. Invest in
Infrastructure Upgrades to Support Critical Minerals Development in
Northwest B.C. and Create Jobs Across the Province
- Programs and funding for critical minerals projects
- Regional Energy and Resource Tables
- Galore Creek Mining Corporation
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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada