MB Government Invests $36.4 Million in Rail Line and Port of Churchill to Increase International Trade

 The Province of Manitoba is investing $36.4 million over two years to the Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) for capital infrastructure projects at the Port of Churchill to expand international trade and create good jobs for northern Manitobans This was announced the Honorable Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, and the Honorable Lisa Naylor, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Churchill presents huge opportunities when it comes to mining, agriculture, and energy,” said Premier Kinew. “Our government’s investments are fueling northern Manitoba’s economy, increasing international trade and unlocking new economic opportunities for all Manitobans. These new investments will build up Manitoba’s economic strength and open our province to new trading opportunities.”

The $36.4-million investment will support the AGG’s port and rail development vision and plan to expand traffic diversification and growth opportunities and attract private investment partners from the agriculture, mining, fertilizer, and resupply sectors.
“This is about keeping northern communities connected, strengthening Indigenous economic leadership and positioning Manitoba as a key player in the global critical minerals market,” said the Honorable Minister Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. “Reliable, affordable rail service is essential for the North and these investments will ensure it remains a lifeline for communities and businesses. At the same time, we’re creating new opportunities in mining and mineral development – helping Indigenous communities build skills, secure good jobs and drive economic growth. This is a long-term investment in Manitoba’s future and in Canada’s clean energy transition.”

“As a maritime province located in the heart of North America, Manitoba is strategically positioned to ship commodities, critical minerals and natural resources,” said Minister Naylor. “Developing the Port of Churchill will advance northern Manitoba’s economy, support trade expansion with Europe and strengthen our Arctic sovereignty as we position Manitoba as a gateway to the Arctic and to the world.”

The AGG is a subsidiary company of OneNorth, a partnership of 41 First Nation and Bayline communities in Manitoba. The OneNorth community ownership model of the AGG demonstrates economic reconciliation in action, noted the minister.
In August 2024, AGG and Hudbay Minerals Inc. piloted a successful 10,000-tonne zinc concentrate export shipment through the port, establishing Churchill as a northern trade critical minerals supply route. 

Vale Base Metals Launches Strategic Review for Thompson Mine

Vale Base Metals has launched a strategic review to explore and evaluate a range of alternatives, including the potential sale, for its mining and exploration assets in Thompson.

According to Vale Base Metals, the review is part of a process to optimize its global mining portfolio to ensure the competitiveness of its vertically integrated nickel portfolio and create long-term value for its shareholders and stakeholders. Vale Base Metals has engaged an external advisor to lead the Thompson review, which is expected to conclude in the second half of 2025.

“Our stated objective is to build a leading energy transition metals business, and this strategic review is part of the process we are undertaking to optimize our portfolio to ensure global competitiveness and unlock the value potential of our considerable copper and nickel endowment,” said Shaun Usmar, Chief Executive Officer of Vale Base Metals.

The Thompson Nickel Belt is a proven nickel deposit with significant resource upside, and the operations have been producing nickel since 1956. The assets include two operating underground mines, an adjacent mill, and significant exploration opportunities along the 135 km-long Thompson Nickel Belt. Thompson produced 10.5 thousand metric tonnes of Vale Base Metals’ finished nickel for the 12-month period ending Q3 2024.

“Our activities and investments in Thompson have generated significant value for northern Manitoba for more than 60 years,”
Shaun stated. “This process is aimed at determining whether a new owner may be better suited to invest the capital and resources needed to unlock the vast mineral potential of this district-scale asset, continuing that legacy while delivering value for our investors.”

Vale Base Metals, the business line for Vale SA’s energy transition metals division, is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality nickel and an important producer of responsibly sourced copper and cobalt. Its corporate office is based in Toronto, with operations in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Indonesia, Brazil, the UK, and Japan.

NiCAN and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Sign Exploration Agreement in Thompson

In late January, NiCAN Limited (NiCAN) and Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) signed an exploration agreement related to the
Pipy Project in Thompson.

The Exploration Agreement establishes a framework for how the two parties will collaborate to advance exploration activities at the Pipy Project, which lies within NCN’s Traditional and Ancestral Territory. The terms of the agreement include protocols for environmental monitoring and the potential for business relationships and training.

NiCAN has already completed the Heritage Resources screening, and the company expects to receive a work permit for the initial exploration phase at the Pipy Property in a timely manner.

“NiCAN could not be more pleased to formalize our strong relationship with NCN, and we look forward to engaging in a collaborative and respectful manner,” says Brad Humphrey, President and CEO of NiCAN. “We wish to thank NCN for their support in working towards signing this agreement, which clearly sets a strong foundation from which to build as the Pipy Project progresses.”

The Pipy Properties consist of three project areas: Pipy South, Pipy North, and Pipy West, totaling 39.1 km². Initial exploration activities will focus on the Pipy South Project, which is adjacent to the Mystery Lake South area, approximately 12 km northeast of the city of Thompson and Vale’s Thompson Nickel Mine, with excellent road access and local infrastructure. The Pipy South Project is underlain by an 8-km-long synclinal structure exposing Ospwagan Group sediments, including the critical pipe formation that hosts the nickel deposits in the Thompson Nickel Belt.

NiCAN Limited is a mineral exploration company actively exploring two nickel projects, both located in well-established mining jurisdictions in Manitoba. Learn more at www.nicanltd.com.

ONGold Announces Closing of Acquisition on Monument Bay and Domain Projects

ONGold Resources Ltd. has closed its previously announced transactions to purchase 100% interests in both the Monument Bay Gold Project and the Domain Project. The transactions transfer ownership from Agnico Eagle Mines (for the Monument Bay Project), and from both Agnico Eagle and Capella Minerals Ltd. (for the Domain Project).

As partial consideration for the acquisition, Agnico Eagle was issued 8.7 million common shares of ONGold, representing approximately 15% of ONGold’s total issued and outstanding common shares.

Monument Bay is in northeastern MB, near the Ontario-Manitoba border, and represents a district-scale exploration opportunity with significant gold and tungsten mineralization over a 40 km strike length. Monument Bay is an advanced stage exploration asset with more than 232,000 metres drilled in more than 800 diamond core holes, while still having substantial exploration upside both within the known deposits and along underexplored satellite zones. The acquisition of Monument Bay strengthens ONGold’s portfolio, provides a camp to explore ONGold’s nearby Rapson Bay Properties, and complements the company’s broader exploration footprint in Northern Ontario.

According to the company, the acquisitions of both projects are an important step in advancing ONGold’s strategy of becoming a leading junior explorer in the prolific Stull Lake Greenstone belt of northern Canada. With its extensive technical expertise, strong commitment to social acceptability, mindful Indigenous engagement and partnerships, in addition to a proven track record of responsible exploration, ONGold’s team is uniquely positioned to unlock the full potential of Monument Bay and Domain.

“We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of these assets from Agnico Eagle and Capella and to welcome Agnico Eagle as a shareholder,” said Kyle Stanfield, CEO of ONGold. “The company looks forward to unlocking the value of these assets through expanding the geological interpretation paired with meaningful community engagement.”

ONGold Resources Ltd. (formerly 1348515 BC Ltd) owns significant exploration assets in northern Ontario. These projects represent a strategic footprint in one of Canada’s most prolific gold-producing regions. With its extensive technical expertise, strong commitment to social acceptability, mindful Indigenous engagement and partnerships, and proven track record of responsible exploration, the company states that its team is uniquely positioned to unlock the full potential of Monument Bay and Domain. Learn more at www.ongoldresources.com.

MMF and PADCOM Sign Unprecedented Royalty Agreement

In a first-of-its-kind action, the Manitoba |Métis Federation (MMF), National Government of the Red River Métis, and the Potash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba (PADCOM) signed an unprecedented royalty agreement on February 28 at the National Office of the MMF.

The agreement reflects PADCOM’s recognition of the MMF as the National Government of the Red River Métis; and demonstrates their industry leadership in meaningful respect for the MMF and the Red River Métis, including the right to self-determination and self-government.

Under the agreement, PADCOM has agreed to grant a royalty to MMF related to the project. Royalty payments will be made by PADCOM directly to the MMF, with the MMF having full discretion of the funds received. Royalty revenue from the project will be used to support priority initiatives and services for Red River Métis Citizens, and to advance economic development in the region.

“PADCOM has shown strong leadership in working with us on this unprecedented Royalty Agreement, which sets a new standard for the mining industry and their relationship with the Red River Métis,” said Vincent Mark Parenteau, MMF Minister of Mining. “This agreement with PADCOM marks a key deliverable under my mandate to explore and build partnerships in the mining sector.”

PADCOM operates Manitoba’s first selective solution potash mine in Harrowby, located about 16 km west of Russell. The company has been granted the right by the Province of Manitoba to explore the property and to work, recover, procure, remove, and sell potash, a critical mineral.

“We are excited to be part of this historic event,” said Daymon Guillas, PADCOM President. “The National Government of the Red River Métis has taken all the leadership in creating this unprecedented, but logical and important step. It complements our hope to be part of better solutions for relationships with the Red River Métis in the mining industry and represents our ongoing commitment towards the right relationships between businesses and governments, and between mining and Indigenous Peoples.”

The signing of this agreement follows the MMF’s signing of its historic Red River Métis Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Treaty with Canada on November 30, 2024.

“This is part of our ongoing advancement as an Indigenous government being recognized for what we are – a government,” said David Chartrand, President of the MMF. “This is a fundamental shift in understanding of who and what we are, and corrects long-standing perceptions that we are a charity or a social organization. Partnering with industries as a government provides opportunity for prosperity for our people and all Manitobans as a result. I commend Daymon Guillas and PADCOM for their recognition of the MMF as the National Government of the Red River Métis and for acknowledging the history of my People and our experiences as Red River Métis.”

Grid Metals Corp. Signs Cesium Agreement with Tanco

In mid-February, Grid Metals Corp. signed a cesium supply agreement with the Tantalum Mining Corporation of Canada Ltd. The agreement provides funding for Grid to drill for cesium at its Donner Property. If sufficient resources are delineated by drilling, the agreement provides access for 10,000 tonnes of Grid’s cesium material to be processed at the Tanco Cesium Plant, which is the only cesium processing plant in the western world. The agreement is a unique opportunity for Grid Metals to kick start exploration and potentially development for cesium – a rare critical metal.

The drill target at Donner is the High Grade (HG) Dyke which is a highly fractionated pegmatite dyke with documented high grade cesium values in the mineral pollucite. The HG Dyke is located approximately 35 km from the Tanco Cesium plant at Bernic Lake.

“This agreement provides the foundation to kickstart cesium exploration with the objective of near-term cash flow generation through toll milling,” said Robin Dunbar, CEO and President of Grid Metals “Our proximity to the only cesium operation in the western world is a unique feature of the Tanco collaboration. We note that we have a second cesium property (Falcon West) where we have obtained significant cesium results in drilling including 3.3 m at 10.3% Cs2O and 3.2 m at 4.6% Cs2O.”

Grid Metals is focused on exploration
and development in southeastern Manitoba with three key projects in the Bird River area – The Makwa Property, the Mayville Property, and the Donner Lithium Project. All of the company’s southeastern Manitoba projects are located on the Traditional Lands of the Sagkeeng First Nation with whom the company maintains an Exploration Agreement. Learn more at www.gridmetalscorp.com.