Investing to Make Canada a Global Critical Minerals Superpower
Summary
MinesRecipient: British Columbia Hydro and Power AuthorityLocation: Northwestern, British ColumbiaNRCan Funding Amount (up to): $25,000,000 Project Summary: BC Hydro and Power Authority will undertake technical assessments and conceptual designs for two transmission line segments, which would generate a route for the transmission line, cost estimates for implementation, engagement with and capacity funding for impacted Indigenous groups, site assessments and more.Project Name: Wicheeda REE ProjectRecipient: Defense Metals Corp.Location: Bear Lake, British ColumbiaNRCan Funding Amount (up to): $853,825 Project Summary: Defense Metals Corp. will undertake a feasibility study including powerline engineering, environmental baseline studies, archaeology and Indigenous engagement to assess the construction of a 46-km transmission line to the provincial grid and distribute power to the Defense Metals Wicheeda project located northeast of Prince George, B.C. The pilot plant will validate the efficacy of the extraction of a range of feed compositions and confirm control parameters associated with the morphologies of nickel powder product required by battery producers.The INRP Program aims to increase the economic participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in the development of natural resource projects that support the transition to a clean energy future. Activities will include community information sessions to discuss infrastructure specific impacts, meetings with the proponent and a final report to inform future regulatory processes for the transmission line infrastructure.Project Name: Osoyoos Indian Band Phoenix Copper Mine Access RoadRecipient: Osoyoos Indian BandLocation: Greenwood, British ColumbiaNRCan Funding Amount: $50,000Project Summary: The objective is to undertake a community engagement process to assess access road infrastructure that will service the Phoenix copper project. Activities will include community information sessions to discuss infrastructure specific impacts, meetings with the proponent and a final report to inform future regulatory processes for the access road infrastructure.Project Name: Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Training and Development for the Minago Mickel ProjectRecipient: Norway House Cree NationLocation: Grand Rapids, ManitobaNRCan Funding Amount: $75,000Project Summary: The objective is to train community members to be involved in access road development for the Minago nickel mining project.Project Name: Applications of Clean Energy Battery Storage (CEBS) Systems in Critical Mineral Exploration and Mining in B.C.Recipient: British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining SocietyLocation: North Vancouver, British ColumbiaNRCan Funding Amount: $149,500Project Summary: The objective is to develop a knowledge base and deliver an associated webinar to First Nations throughout British Columbia about clean energy battery storage (CEBS) applications in critical mineral projects.Project Name: Critical Minerals Infrastructure Policy GatheringRecipient: M\xe9tis National Council Secretariat Inc.Location: M\xe9tis Crossing, AlbertaNRCan Funding Amount: $100,000Project Summary: The objective is to host a policy gathering to discuss M\xe9tis participation in critical minerals infrastructure projects.Project Name: Blueprint for M\xe9tis Investment Attraction and Review AgencyRecipient: M\xe9tis National Council Secretariat Inc.Location: M\xe9tis Crossing, AlbertaNRCan Funding Amount: $150,000Project Summary: The objective is to develop a blueprint for setting up a M\xe9tis Investment Attraction and Review Agency (MIARA) to evaluate potential for M\xe9tis participation in critical mineral infrastructure projects.Project Name: Clean Energy Needs Assessment for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite ProjectsRecipient: Constance Lake First NationLocation: Constance Lake, OntarioNRCan Funding Amount: $75,000Project Summary: The objective is to hire consultants and engage with stakeholders to inform development of a Clean Energy Needs Assessment to identify gaps in clean energy infrastructure for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite projects.Project Name: CLFN BESS SMART Grid System Feasibility Study for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite ProjectsRecipient: Constance Lake First NationLocation: Constance Lake, OntarioNRCan Funding Amount: $50,000Project Summary: The objective is to hire consultants and engage with stakeholders to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a battery storage (BESS) SMART Grid System. This model will provide factual insights to better understand emerging commodity inventories, encourage development, de-risk investment and inform land management decisions while training highly qualified personnel.