Norway House Cree Nation has become the first First Nation in Manitoba to fully own a mining company, acquiring the Minago nickel project located on the Thompson nickel belt. Chief Larson Anderson announced the community’s full ownership of the project in November 2024, with plans to commence production within the next five years.
The Minago site is rich in nickel—a critical mineral used in stainless steel, solar panels, and batteries. Recent discoveries also indicate substantial magnesium deposits, potentially more abundant and valuable than nickel.
Chief Anderson has called on both provincial and federal governments to acknowledge Norway House’s pivotal role in advancing critical mineral exploration, especially as the global demand for these materials intensifies. He emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “This is the first-ever First Nation-owned mine in Manitoba, and we think the province and the federal government would want to jump on that opportunity and help First Nations get out of being a burden to the taxpayer.
Despite Manitoba’s rich reserves—boasting 30 of the 34 minerals on Canada’s critical minerals list as of 2024—the province had only four active critical mineral mines last year. These include the Tanco mine in Lac du Bonnet, Vale’s Thompson mine, Hudbay’s Lalor mine in Snow Lake, and the Potash Agri Development Corporation’s mine near Harrowby.
Premier Wab Kinew has highlighted Manitoba’s potential, referring to the province as the “Costco of critical minerals” during a recent visit to Washington, D.C. He underscored the importance of these resources in bolstering both the American and global economies.
Norway House’s venture into mining is poised to set a precedent for Indigenous-led resource development. Chief Anderson expressed optimism about the project’s impact, stating, “We have high unemployment and not many solutions in sight.”
The community’s proactive approach aims to harness Manitoba’s mineral wealth responsibly, ensuring environmental stewardship while fostering economic growth.
Source: Swifteradio.com
