The Manitoba government said on June 13 that it is dedicating C$10 million to the mining industry through a renewed partnership with the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) and the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF). Premier Heather Stefanson announced the news on June 13 at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto.
“As we continue to recover from the pandemic and build our economy, our government is focused on attracting new investment into Manitoba’s mining sector and increasing Indigenous participation in mineral development activities,” said Stefanson. “The MMDF supports strategic projects that capitalize on our vast mineral potential within the province and helps accelerate Manitoba’s position as a world leader for responsible mineral development.”
The renewed agreement with the MCC, which administers the MMDF, will provide $10 million to support the mineral sector supply chain over three years. This investment will enable Manitoba to capitalize on emerging opportunities among its diverse and untapped minerals and position itself as a leading destination for mining, noted Stefanson, who added the renewed agreement represents an increase in funding to support mining and mineral development initiatives by 66%.
In 2019, the Manitoba government established the MMDF to provide funding for mining and mineral development-related projects throughout the province. Through the fund, communities and businesses, including Indigenous groups, municipalities, and the not-for-profit sector, are eligible to apply for funding. Financial assistance from the fund could include one-time grants for activities that help advance new mining opportunities and provide support to Indigenous communities for collaborative resource development. To date, MMDF has allocated more than $5.4 million to 41 projects.
This investment builds on the Manitoba government’s commitment to grow the mining industry, including the establishment of the Manitoba Permit Office to focus permit modernization efforts, in response to industry recommendations to eliminate red tape to help grow and develop this important sector, noted the premier.