By Katie Woychyshyn, Contributor, Craig Kelman & Associates

A lot can happen in an industry in three years. Just ask anyone who observed the evolution of the mining sector through the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic; anyone who perceived the breakdown of the supply chain amid panic buying and supply shortages, the rise of green technology amidst promises of net-zero, and shifting markets throughout Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This meant that, as mining professionals and industry leaders entered the doors of the Victoria Inn to attend the 2022 Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention (CCMEC), there was a lot to discuss – especially when it came to the growth of Central Canada’s mineral exploration and mining industry.

CCMEC took place on November 14-15, 2022, in Winnipeg, MB after a three-year hiatus. The theme was “Central Canada’s Mineral Corridor,” which zoned in on Canada’s strategic minerals, Indigenous relations, environmental sustainability, investment, and more. According to Serena Komonko, CCMEC Administrator, CCMEC had over 600 delegates, drawing a crowd of major players and stakeholders in the Central Canada mineral exploration and mining industry – including investment firms, mineral exploration and mining companies, Indigenous groups, Government officials, prospectors, suppliers, and academic institutions.

The two-day event started with opening remarks from the CCMEC Committee in the Centennial Room, and then a short speech from the Honorable Greg Nesbitt, Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development at the Province of Manitoba. His speech was particularly noteworthy, as he announced a $5 million investment in Manitoba’s Resource Development Department, which will increase staffing by 50%, speed up the review of processing mining permits, and increase Indigenous participation in mineral development activities. According to Nesbitt, the hiring has already begun.

After the Minister’s announcement, attendees could join a diverse selection of technical sessions, with topics ranging from finance and capital markets to innovation in community engagement.

“Many people expressed that they enjoyed our keynote sessions,” said Komonko, “including Michael Grey from Agentis Capital Partners and Treaty Commissioner Loretta Ross. Our engagement case study panel, chaired by Christian Sinclair, was also well received.”

The conference consisted of one keynote speaker per day over the two-day event. On Monday, November 14, Michael Gray, MSc, presented on “Mineral Exploration Innovation and Lowering the Cost of Discovery.” Michael has more than 30 years of experience in the metals and mining industry, including 15 years as one of the top mining equity research analysts in the sector.

On Tuesday, November 15, Loretta Ross, Treaty Commissioner with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba, presented her keynote session. Loretta is a member of the Hollow Water First Nation in Manitoba, with 25 years providing legal counsel to numerous First Nation people, governments, and organizations, including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Assembly of First Nations.

Technical session speakers varied in background and expertise but included representatives of prevalent players in the Central Canada mining industry like Vale, Hudbay, SSR Mining, Evolution Mining, and Alamos Gold. Other sessions showcased government entities, such as the Government of Manitoba and the Government of Saskatchewan; academic institutions, such as the University of Manitoba, University of British Columbia, and Lakehead University; and experts within the lithium boom, such as Manitoba’s Snow Lake Lithium and Prairie Lithium Corp. Speakers like Lance Goodick of Stantec, John Stefaniuk of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP and Chris Henderson of the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee (TLEC) presented on hot topics for Resource Development projects.

The convention also included a designated exhibitor space showcasing exploration companies, products, and services, in addition to facilitating networking opportunities. This year, 82 companies attended the exhibitor showcase, booking a total of 95 booth spaces, eight poster displays, as well as a few Prospector Property Displays. Companies included Axiom Group, Rockcliff Metals Corp., Adventure Air, Major Drilling, Custom Heli, Earthex Geophysical Services, Platinum Diamond Drilling Inc., Provincial Helicopters, Orix Geoscience, the Tantalum Mining Corp. of Canada (Tanco), Stantec, and Athabasca Catering.

According to the Province of Manitoba’s Manitoba Mining, Exploration and Geoscience 2022-2023 report,1 in 2020, the Manitoba mining industry accounts for approximately $1.9 billion in total value of production, accounting for approximately 2.7% of the province’s real GDP and 2.5% of international exports, and directly employed just under three thousand people. However, since then, the global need for lithium and other minerals needed for the booming EV industry has caused experts to suggest Manitoba may become a lithium hot spot.2 According to the Winnipeg Free Press, in November 2022, about a dozen junior mining companies active in one way or another in exploring for lithium in Manitoba right now.

“Having a mining conference in Manitoba is important, because so many of the issues, challenges, opportunities facing companies involved in mining are regional,” said John Morris, Co-director of the Mining Association of Manitoba, who attended CCMEC. “It’s also critical because it gives stakeholders and government an opportunity to see each other, to network and connect. This was even more important for economic recovery in 2022 for a sector coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

He added: “As many of the operating mines and contractors operate in northern and remote communities, coming together was even more valuable and energising this year.”

With Manitoba and Central Canada as a whole positioned for potential success as the industry booms in the northernmost parts of the provinces, seeing the innovation and movement in the industry was more than enough to give those in the industry hope for a vibrant mining future, a future of prosperity and more great conferences ahead.

  References

1 Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development. (2022). Manitoba Mining, Exploration and Geoscience 2022-2023 . Manitoba.ca. Retrieved from www.manitoba.ca/iem/industry/mb_min_exp_geoscience_2022_2023.pdf

2 Cash, M. (2022, November 1). Manitoba Could Become a Lithium Hot Spot. Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved from www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2022/11/01/manitoba-could-become-a-lithium-hot-spot.