After decades of being under attack by environmentalists and facing growing general public uncertainty, the Canadian mining sector is now finding itself to be in favour with a wide range of groups – with the industry’s potential “green” benefits a highlight.
The Canadian mining industry and the government have both played a major role over the past 12 months in promoting the nation’s potential to become a key global supplier of critical minerals, while having a major role in improving the Canadian economy.
A recent poll conducted by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) has highlighted the high levels of support for Canadian mining.
The survey also identified the increased understanding of the role Canada’s mining industry must play in producing the green technologies essential to a low carbon future.
The world is better off on climate change when Canada wins on critical minerals
The MAC said support for mining is currently at an all-time high, with 80% reporting that they have a positive feeling about producers of minerals and metals in Canada and 78% saying they have a positive feeling about Canadian mining companies. Other highlights include:
- 84% give mining companies in Canada a good or acceptable performance in contributing new materials for use in greener and cleaner technologies
- 83% say they would like to see more mining projects in Canada provided they have a plan to reduce GHG emissions
- 81% say Canada should remain in the oil business provided barrels are produced by companies that achieve a net zero emissions target
- 80% say we need a strong mining sector for Canada’s economy to be healthy over the long term
- 80% give Canadian mining companies good or acceptable ratings when it comes to the way they operate in other jurisdictions. This includes measures of how these companies help raise environmental standards and ensure that local communities benefit economically from their mining activities
- 79% give mining companies operating in Canada a good or acceptable performance in their efforts to reduce environmental impact
The MAC noted that upon learning about Canada’s leadership in sustainable mining via the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) standard, 88% believe it is a good idea for government to support Canadian companies that adhere to such standards in their efforts to win in export markets and to attract investment to Canada.
“This year’s polling data clearly shows that Canadians are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the minerals and metals industry is a key partner in accomplishing our goal of a greener future,” said Pierre Gratton, president and CEO of the MAC.
“As one of the lowest carbon-intensity producers of mineral and metal products in the world there is no doubt that Canada fulfills the need for mined materials better than most competing mining jurisdictions and we are pleased to see this recognition by the public at large.”
The poll suggested that Canadians are seeing economic opportunities in the mining sector when it comes to the future of uses of sustainably produced minerals and metals, and second, that they observe Canadian mining companies moving in a good direction across a range of priorities, from environmental stewardship to emissions reduction to Indigenous relations.
“There’s enthusiasm about the role Canadian mining is playing in elevating mining standards in other parts of the world too,” said Mr Gratton.
Government backing
The MAC noted that the Canadian government cemented its support for the local mining industry, and in particular critical minerals development, with a general 2022 budget allocation.
“With unprecedented support and extensive measures, Budget 2022 will position Canada’s minerals and metals industry for success as a partner in accomplishing Canada’s goal of a greener future while also enhancing greater supply chain resiliency, particularly in battery and advanced manufacturing materials,” the MAC stated.
“Budget 2022 reinforces the government’s commitment to climate action and supply chain security goals by providing strategic funding and programmatic supports to Canada’s minerals and metals sector, underscoring a recognition that the world is better off on climate change when Canada wins on critical minerals. Specifically, the budget:
- Commits C$80M to public geoscience and exploration programmes to help find the next generation of critical minerals deposits
- Doubles the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for targeted critical minerals, including nickel, copper, cobalt, rare earths, and uranium
- Dedicates C$1.5B for new infrastructure investments to unlock new mineral projects in critical regions, such as the Ring of Fire
- Allocates C$1.5B to invest in new critical minerals projects, with a priority focus on mineral processing, materials manufacturing and recycling for key mineral and metal products in the battery and rare-earths supply chain
- Allocates C$144M to critical minerals research and development to support the responsible extraction and processing of critical minerals
- Renews the Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals for three more years with an allocation of C$10M
- Adds C$40M to support northern regulatory processes in reviewing and permitting critical minerals projects
- Invests C$70M for global partnerships to promote Canadian mining leadership
Indigenous and youth movements
The Canadian government and the mining industry have made a particular focus on winning over Indigenous and youth group support for mining in recent months.
Natural Resources Canada says advancing Indigenous partnerships and reconciliation is critical to all work in the energy and mining sectors.
Canada’s ministers recently participated in a presentation by national and regional Indigenous organizations and heard about success stories on this topic. They discussed ways of making progress on the commitment for a national benefits-sharing framework.
Natural Resources Canada says working collaboratively at the federal, provincial, and territorial levels alongside Indigenous partners, will remain a focus of ministers in order to help Canadians seize the economic opportunities enabled by vast natural resources and a low-carbon future across the country.
To advance this work, Canada’s minister of natural resources and former environmental and climate change minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, recently launched the Regional Energy and Resource Tables with the first phase in partnership with British Columbia, Manitoba, and Newfoundland-and-Labrador.
During a recent youth leadership pre-conference session, Minister Wilkinson also announced that Natural Resources Canada will be creating a youth council to provide a new national forum on natural resources issues.
The youth council’s work will be finalized in consultation with council members and could include supporting federal government priorities on green buildings, electric vehicles, tree planting, and ending fossil fuel subsidies.
“By working together, provinces, territories, the federal government, and key Indigenous partners can collectively accelerate economic activity and position Canada as an economic leader in the global shift towards a low-carbon future,” Minister Wilkinson said.
“I would like to thank my provincial and territorial counterparts for their collaborative efforts as we work towards our common objectives.”
