MBiz

SUMMER 2024 29 Fifty per cent or more of our province is actually hard rock, an area which we can explore to discover critical minerals." – MaryAnn Mihychuk, president, Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association " Similarly, Anderson says Flying Nickel has also gone above and beyond to address NHCN's past con- cerns with water runoff and poten- tial acidity of the nickel sulphides. Rob Van Drunen, chief operating officer for Flying Nickel and long-time northern Manitoba resident, express- es appreciation for the collaborative approach. "Working with the First Nations and Métis is extremely valuable in creating an environmentally sustain- able, green mine concept. Manitoba has vast untapped mineral resources, and what is often unrecognized is the opportunity to develop skill capac- ity in the communities to fill roles needed for mining," Van Drunen says. "Flying Nickel continues to work to- wards developing new ways to build a mine, not only environmentally world class but community centric. None of this can happen without the support and direct involvement of First Nation and Métis peoples." Flying Nickel confirms in com- pany documents that it submitted substantial updates to a 2014 Notice of Alteration (NOA) for its 10,000 tonne-per-day open pit mining operation at Minago and is working closely with all Indigenous rights- holders, including NHCN, where significant input was utilized in the NOA submission. Meanwhile, Minago is potentially one of the lowest carbon-intensity nickel projects in the world. Several initiatives are being considered or taken to minimize the carbon footprint of potential future min- ing operation at Minago. For mining, the company is examining the use of a fully electric mine fleet. For ore and waste processing, the crushing, milling and flotation processes would be powered by renewable Manitoba hydroelectricity. The Agriculture and Resource Development Department (ARDD) has expressed support for the Minago Project, which would supply much- needed Class 1 high-purity nickel to make nickel-lithium batteries used in electric vehicles. The project is expected to have an industry-leading low carbon footprint, lower than 99 per cent of existing global nickel pro- duction, according to a study by Skarn Associates, a metals and mining ESG research company. Mihychuk agrees most of today's operations are transparent with their intentions through publicly published reports and use the latest technology to ensure safety. "We have great scientists, and the way that we manage projects now is environmentally safe — a tiny footprint," she says. "The last thing we want to do is leave a legacy that's going to cause negative re- percussions to a community or the environment." While the MPDA currently has several "big asks" on their agenda — including a road on the east side of Lake Winnipeg up to the community of Red Sucker that could lead to the potential access of over a million ounces of gold — the Manitoba criti- cal mineral sector's future has seen recent glimmers of hope thanks to growing support from communities like NHCN and the province's current premier, Wab Kinew. The premier was recently in Washington, D.C., speak- ing with American congress people, senators and stakeholder groups about critical mineral opportunities in Manitoba and their technology, defence and EV applications. "Minerals really hold a great op- portunity for investment and wealth creation, both for the First Nations and for all taxpayers," Mihychuk says. "We're excited about the premier and his ability to reach out to his com- munities and his commitment to the critical mineral industry. We're all waiting in huge expectation and anticipation that Manitoba will finally open its doors to exploration." ■ PHOTO BY DARCY FINLEY

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