Prime Minister Mark Carney has revealed a selection of five projects for endorsement by the federal government’s newly established major project office (MPO), with a copper mine in northern Saskatchewan being among them. Foran Mining’s McIlvenna Bay project, set to commence commercial operations next year, is situated approximately 380 kilometers northeast of Saskatoon, near the small community of Creighton.
Carney, on Thursday, indicated that the initial batch of projects already fulfills many essential regulatory standards but requires a slight push to secure approval. He stated, “The government is referring them to the MPO to be shepherded across the finish line. The office will assist these proponents in attaining any outstanding regulatory and permitting authorizations and obtaining the necessary funding.”
Jonathan French, Foran Mining’s vice president of capital markets and external affairs, expressed enthusiasm for getting the project operational. He highlighted the company’s commitment to Indigenous engagement, with the nearby Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation collaborating on economic development efforts. French emphasized the importance of fostering relationships within the industry to facilitate growth and prosperity.
The project, currently hosting 800 individuals during construction, is expected to provide 450 stable jobs upon reaching commercial production. French underscored the project’s significance in a remote part of northeastern Saskatchewan, which was previously affected by regional forest fires necessitating site evacuations earlier this year.
In a separate development, the province announced a new critical mining processing investment incentive to support the project, following private investments. Pam Schwan, president of the Saskatchewan Mining Association, commended Carney’s involvement in advancing projects, recognizing the economic benefits and business opportunities that such initiatives bring to the region.
The article also mentions four other projects recommended by Carney, including the Phase 2 expansion of LNG Canada in Kitimat, B.C., the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ont., the Contrecoeur Terminal Container Project in Montreal, and the Red Chris Mine expansion in northwestern B.C.
The Saskatchewan NDP expressed disappointment with the federal and provincial government announcements, citing the absence of new pipeline, power structure, or rail capacity projects in the federal major project list. Kim Breckner, the NDP’s trade and export development critic, urged Premier Scott Moe to disclose the province’s project submissions to Ottawa, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development to support export sectors and unlock Saskatchewan’s economic potential.
Overall, the government’s endorsement of major projects like the McIlvenna Bay copper mine signals a positive step towards economic growth and job creation in Saskatchewan.
