The Ontario Liberals say they want the province to become the global leader in the minerals sector.
On Friday in Sudbury they rolled out the blueprint of how they plan to get there, releasing an updated mineral development strategy that vies to keep the industry competitive and innovative, safe and environmentally responsible, efficiently and effectively regulated while also enhancing Aboriginal voices and participation and building a highly skilled workforce.
The report itself is vague on how the province will reach its stated targets.
To build a competitive industry, the report says Ontario will seek new markets for industrial minerals while encouraging and supporting investments in innovation, research and development and commercialization of technologies within the sector.
To foster innovation the province will target the increased use of innovative technologies, while reducing greenhouse gases within the industry. They’ll also host an innovation summit in Sudbury.
One of the biggest obstacles to growing the industry is energy costs.
“Our government is committed to supporting a globally competitive mineral development and mining sector that provides significant social and economic contributions to Ontario’s economy and supports economic contributions to Ontario’s economy and supports economic development for Aboriginal communities,” Minister of Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle said in a release issued to media province-wide.
“The mineral development strategy is a blueprint for how we will help the sector address the challenges of today and position it to grow and attract investment in the future.”
The reports states the province will review its current energy programs and provide ongoing assistance to mining and processing operations to ensure competitiveness.
The plan also calls for clarification of roles and responsibilities for Aboriginal consultation on exploration activities, steam-lining regulatory processes and removing barriers holding up the adoption of new technologies and processes.
It also supports community readiness strategies.
Gary Clark, executive director of the Ontario Prospector’s Association, voiced support for the 10-year strategy, saying it provides a solid framework for mineral exploration in the province.
“The components of the strategy, when implemented, will provide greater certainty and preserve Ontario’s position as the No. 1 jurisdiction for mineral exploration in Canada,” Clark said in the release.
According to the report, the mining sector accounts for about 1.6 per cent of Ontario’s total gross domestic product.
In 2014, $11 billion in mineral production occurred, a little less than double the $5.7 billion total in 2003. About 26,000 people are employed directly in the industry. There are about 40 active mines and more than 300 active mineral exploration projects under way.
About 60 per cent of the metals mined in Ontario are processed in the province.
The report also spotlights the Ring of Fire, the long-discussed chromite deposit whose progress has stalled for a variety of reasons, including a lack of infrastructure and transportation corridors in Ontario’s far north.
But short of reiterating the province’s commitment of $1 billion to build the necessary infrastructure and a regional framework agreement with Matawa-member First Nations, there are no solutions on how to move the multi-billion project forward.
The original strategy was first released in 2006.
Gravelle was contacted for comment on this story, but a spokesperson said he was not available on Friday afternoon.
