Grow the Potential of our Mineral Resources

Completed

Way Forward Commitment:

Mining presents a strong opportunity to grow the province’s economy. Already a major economic contributor, mining is forecasted in 2018 to employ 6,000 people and generate $3.4 billion in mineral shipments. As evidenced by our world-class publicly available geoscience, significant potential exists for further exploration and development of vast mineral deposits, particularly in Labrador and in Central Newfoundland’s gold opportunities.

Minerals and metals are essential ingredients of a green and technologically advanced economy. Our government intends to seize this opportunity. With the growing popularity of electric vehicles and other new technologies that require metals such as nickel, copper and cobalt, which our province has in abundance, there is even greater potential for growth in our mining industry.

In 2018-19, in collaboration with the mining industry and community stakeholders, we will develop a strategic framework for growing the provincial mining sector in a manner that is responsible, sustainable, competitive and supportive of private-sector investments and job growth in our rural areas.

What We’ve Accomplished:

  • On March 23, 2018, the Provincial Government and Mining Industry NL announced a Way Forward initiative to develop a provincial mineral strategy – a responsible, sustainable and competitive framework for exploration and mining growth.
  • Over the past several months, there has been much discussion with stakeholders in the mining industry, including workshops in six locations throughout the province – Labrador City, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, St. John’s, Springdale and Marystown and Stephenville.
  • On November 2, 2018, the Provincial Government released Mining the Future 2030: A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Mining Industry. This industry development plan,  created in collaboration with Mining Industry NL, outlines 35 immediate (19), mid- (11) and long-term (5) actions with goal of strategically positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as a globally competitive, top tier jurisdiction for mineral exploration and development.
  • Mining the Future 2030 recognizes four areas of focus for future actions:
    • Being competitive, with clear and efficient regulatory processes;
    • Advancing targeted public geoscience, marketing and education;
    • Promoting effective Indigenous and community engagement; and,
    • Pursuing innovation and emerging technologies.
  • On March 8, 2019, the Provincial Government announced the reopening of the Beaver Brook Antimony Mine in central Newfoundland – creating approximately 100 new jobs for the people in the province. Some 160,000 tonnes of antimony ore per year will be mined at full production and processed into concentrate.

News Releases:

Building for Our Future: Premier Ball Announces Next Industry Sectors to be Developed in Phase Three of The Way Forward

Premier Ball Releases Mining the Future 2030 – A Plan for Growth in the Newfoundland and Labrador Mining Industry

Premier Ball Welcomes Reopening of the Beaver Brook Mine and Creation of Jobs in Central Newfoundland

https://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2019/nr/0703n02.aspx