Ontario's Minister of Mines visits Sudbury
Ontario's Minister of Mines highlighted the Critical Mineral Innovation Fund during a tour of Sudbury on Monday.
George Pirie spoke of the funding during a tour of Dynamic Earth, reaffirming the $15 million promised in the 2024 budget.
"We have everything the world needs in northern Ontario and this is our time to take advantage of a generational opportunity," Pirie said.
"Sudbury, Timmins and Thunder Bay, and other regions in the north, all have a part to play in mining in Ontario."
The Critical Mineral Innovation Fund was first introduced in 2022 as part of the Critical Mineral Strategy to address supply chain challenges and strengthen the industry.
Pirie also shone a spotlight on two local recipients of the fund: Vale and the Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research (MIRARCO).
Vale received $500,000 to work with MIRARCO to improve the mining giant's sustainability goals.
Glen Watson, senior sustainability specialist with Vale, said the partnership provided the industry giant an excellent opportunity.
"The (fund) has allowed us to work with an excellent research facility right in our backyard and looking at waste materials as a resource instead of a liability," Watson said.
"It has been really important in not only funding some fundamental and applied research, but also engaging in industry directly," said Nadia Mykytczuk, CEO of MIRARCO.
"I think the biggest challenge in addressing critical minerals demand is putting pressure on the mining industry, and yet they’re looking for new tools for other sources like waste, how do we go after something that had been sitting out for over 100 years and extract those critical minerals sustainably."
Pirie will also be speaking at the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Conference.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Oilers beat Stars, one win away from Stanley Cup berth
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two power-play goals as Edmonton smothered the Dallas Stars 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the NHL's Western Conference final on Friday.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.