Feds fund mining projects in Sudbury that provide minerals critical for clean technology

Critical mineral projects in Sudbury got financial support from the federal government on Wednesday when the Minister of Natural Resources was in town for the Conference of Mining Regions and Cities.

Jonathan Wilkinson announced more than $11 million in funding for critical mining projects that contribute to a cleaner environment.

Critical mineral projects in Sudbury got financial support from the federal government on Wednesday when the Minister of Natural Resources was in town for the Conference of Mining Regions and Cities. Jonathan Wilkinson announced more than $11 million in funding for critical mining projects that contribute to a cleaner environment. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)

The backdrop for the news conference was the re-vitalized Stobie Mine Open Pit, where mining companies Vale and Thiess are working alongside two First Nation communities to mine copper and nickel.

Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nations’ Economic Development Corporations are working alongside the mining experts.

"Atikameksheng has a greater stake than we realize at times and so we have to be very strategic, as well," said Chief Craig Nootchtai.

"We have to inform ourselves and we have to learn. We really have to learn this quickly, too. There’s a very steep learning curve."

The project at Stobie will receive $2.7 million in federal funding to purchase two surface mining drills to extract the ore.

An additional $8 million was announced by Wilkinson for five other critical mineral infrastructure projects in Sudbury and Timmins. He said the work furthers the production of minerals needed for clean technology like electric vehicles.

Critical mineral projects in Sudbury got financial support from the federal government on Wednesday when the Minister of Natural Resources was in town for the Conference of Mining Regions and Cities. Jonathan Wilkinson announced more than $11 million in funding for critical mining projects that contribute to a cleaner environment. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News)

One of the other projects is Magna Mining. The $1.6 million it's getting will support pre-construction activities to power the Shakespeare and Crean Hill mines with clean electricity.

There will also be $6.8 million for the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project to work to connect the mine to the Ontario electricity grid.

"The projects will capitalize on our existing natural resources, of course, but 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," Wilkinson said.

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Minerals like nickel, copper, cobalt and lithium are used in clean energy technology like electric vehicles, electrical transmission lines and batteries.

Canada’s mining sector provides those minerals.

Wilkinson said all the projects will contribute to a made-in-Canada electric vehicle supply chain.