WINNIPEG, MAN. – The government of Manitoba announced it is establishing a committee to provide advice on priority issues concerning mining and mineral exploration to advance the goals of the province’s Economic Growth Action Plan.
The committee will examine land-use planning and regulatory matters, community relationship building, exploration challenges, and dealing with orphaned and abandoned mines.
“Mining is a long-time net contributor to Manitoba’s economic prosperity, and there is tremendous potential for wealth and job creation in the sector. These highly qualified individuals will help us to attract investment and create jobs, better respond to the needs of business and industry, and develop the sector in a sustainable way,” Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen said.
The Manitoba Liaison Committee on Mining and Exploration is made up of Hudbay Minerals Inc. Manitoba business unit director of exploration Neil Richardson, Vale corporation and indigenous affairs for Manitoba/Ontario manager Ryan Land, Alamos Gold Inc. vice-president of sustainability and external affairs Colin Webster, Global Li-Ion Graphite Corp. president John Roozendaal, Brandon University professor Hamid Mumin, Orix Geoscience Inc. senior project geoscientist Julia Singh, North West Company president/chief development officer Gary Merasty and Andrew MacSkimming, a lawyer specializing in environmental, energy and resources law.
The committee will be chaired by Orix Geoscience Inc. co-owner and Exiro Minerals Corp president and CEO Shastri Ramnath.
“I am pleased to lead this committee of stakeholders and government. Mining generates significant economic opportunities and large areas of high mineral potential in the province remain under-explored. The goal of this working group is to position the province to attract the investment it needs to discover and develop new mineral deposits in order to create economic opportunities for all Manitobans,” Ramnath said.
The committee will also consider the relationship the mining industry has with Indigenous and northern communities in the province, Pedersen said.
“To better attract investment to Manitoba, we need to make changes to how we regulate, plan and manage our mineral resources. Reconciliation with Indigenous communities and partnerships with other levels of government are also key to strengthening our mining economy. The committee will be asked to consider these important relationships in their recommendations to government,” he said.
The committee will collaborate with Manitoba’s Economic Development Office as well as with the Look North initiative focused on northern economic development and the Manitoba-First Nations Mineral Development Protocol, a template for consultation between Indigenous Peoples and the Crown throughout the mineral development cycle.
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