More than just a “gesture of tokenism,” the $2.7 million provided by the federal government to two Sudbury-area First Nations will translate to training and meaningful work in the mining industry for the people of those communities, according to Aitkameksheng Anishnawbek Chief Craig Nootchtai.
The funds, announced Oct. 9 by federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, will go to Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe Inc. (GMS) and Taighwenini Technical Services Corporation (TTS), the economic development corporations of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation, respectively, to purchase two production drills, which will be used in development at Vale's historic Stobie Mine.
“So we're looking at 16 drillers and driller helpers to manage these drills, and that's a wonderful opportunity for our young people,” Nootchtai said during an Oct. 9 funding announcement held at Vale's Stobie Mine in Sudbury.
“Right now, we're going through a process to hire individuals so that they'll be operating these drills as well."
Stobie Mine had been shuttered since 2017 after 100 years of operation.
Earlier this summer, Vale announced it’s spending $205 million to restart the mine as an open-pit nickel-copper operation. The 10-million-tonne deposit is expected to produce 300,000 tonnes in 2024 and ramp up to 1.5 million tonnes per year by 2025, continuing at that pace until 2027-2028.
Along with Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe and Taighwenini Technical Services, Vale cites Thiess and the United Steelworkers as partners in the endeavour.
Nootchtai believes it will be the first of many other projects to come.
“We know it's going to be a stepping stone for more opportunities, not just at this mine site with Vale and with Thiess but for the area in general,” Nootchtai said.
During his visit to Stobie Mine, Wilkinson announced $11 million in federal funding for five Sudbury-area mining projects, the bulk of which come from Canada's Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund.
The $1.5-billion fund, announced in 2022, is designed to help mining companies produce the critical minerals needed to produce batteries used in electric vehicles, in addition to other “green” applications.
“A successful energy transition is going to be enormously minerals-intensive,” Wilkinson said.
“Critical minerals — including lithium cobalt, nickel, copper, graphite, rare earths, manganese and others — are required for the broad deployment of a range of clean technologies, from electric vehicle batteries and battery storage to wind turbines to clean electricity grids.”
Canada is fortunate to have the mineral resources, the technology and the mining expertise to be able to build a robust critical minerals supply chain, making it a global leader in this area, Wilkinson said.
“The projects will capitalize on our existing natural resources, of course, will also capitalize on the skilled workforce and the long history of mining in this region, and help to continue to position Canada as a global leader in critical minerals and in the clean economy.”
Additional funds announced include:
- up to $6.8 million for the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project, including up to $2.4 million for Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 1 Ltd. to build a transmission line connecting Crawford to the Ontario power grid, and up to $4.4 million for Canada Nickel Company for a study as part of the project's electrification plan; and
- up to $1.6 million for Magna Mining Inc. to support pre-construction activities to help power the Shakespeare and Crean Hill mines with clean electricity and connect the Shakespeare mine to the Ontario highway system.