The mayor of Thompson, Manitoba, remains optimistic despite news that Vale Base Metals is conducting a strategic review of its mining and exploration assets in the region, including a possible sale.
Vale, which oversees the Thompson Nickel Belt, announced last month that it is assessing whether a new owner may be better suited to invest in the district’s mineral potential.
“Our activities and investments in Thompson have generated significant value for northern Manitoba for more than 60 years,” said Shaun Usmar, Vale Base Metals CEO, in a news release. “This process is aimed at seeing if 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 to continue that legacy, while delivering value for our investors.”
Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook acknowledged that Vale is the city’s largest employer, with over 1,000 workers, but expressed confidence that the community could withstand the transition.
“While the news definitely hurts the community, I’m optimistic that with the mining and the nickel belt…I’m sure we’ll be scooped up,” Smook said.
She also voiced hope that if Vale proceeds with the sale, the mine could return to local ownership.
“It would be nice to have it Northern-owned or Manitoba-owned, at least Canadian-owned,” she said. “We have our Indigenous groups in the north. They’ve partnered with the Hydro dam. So, partnering with mining and getting the right partner with them, I think, would be a real boon for the North and for all our northern regions and our communities.”
Vale has stated that its review will be completed in the second half of 2025.
Source: Swifteradio.com
