THUNDER BAY - New funding provided by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation will allow for new research into mining and mineral exploration.
The provincial government announced on Friday that it is providing $690,000 to Lakehead University for the creation of an industrial research chair.
“Investing in job creation and research and development at Lakehead University will help drive new solutions and support our government's commitment to grow the province's mineral exploration and prospecting industry," said Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines.
"Through this project, we have the potential to attract new investments into the region and drive more economic opportunities here in Northwestern Ontario."
The current chair of Lakehead University's Department of Geology, Peter Hollings, will be named the new Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration.
Lakehead will work with Impala Canada and their geology team to analyze nickel, copper and platinum group elements and the associated geological attributes near the Lac Des Iles mine and the surrounding area.
"Lakehead University wishes to thank the Province, Impala Canada, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for their support for the establishment of an Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration," said Dr. Moira McPherson, President and Vice Chancellor, Lakehead University.
"Dr. Peter Hollings' research program will focus on the development of innovative new techniques that can be used to enhance the mineral exploration industry's ability to discover new mines. The mines that will supply the raw materials required for the technologies that power a modern economy."
Impala is also investing $375,000 toward the project, along with additional funds from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Lakehead University for a total commitment of $2.15 million. Tim Hill, chief executive officer with Impala Canada, said exploration is the lifeline of the mining industry.
"Together with the Government of Ontario, we are proud to invest in this industrial research chair and partner in the world-class research led by Dr. Peter Hollings at Lakehead University,” he said.
“We are providing unparalleled access to the geological database at our Lac Des Iles Mine and regional exploration properties ̶ a database that is several orders of magnitude greater than most academic-based geoscientific projects. We are confident this collaborative research will greatly enhance the potential for discovery of new mineral resources and have a significant impact on future growth and investment in the Thunder Bay mining district. Together, we hope to unlock nickel, copper and platinum group metals that are essential for the world's transition to green energy."
The province said the funding will also create nine new jobs but no details were provided on the nature of these positions.
