We need more mining

Tamer Elbokl, PhD

It is essential to understand that we need more mining to switch from fossil fuel energy sources to carbon-free renewables and electric vehicles (EVs). The clean energy transition will require up to 20 times more critical minerals, such as nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium, and others by 2040. That means more mining is required to achieve decarbonization goals. Fortunately, the provincial and federal governments are aiming to leverage Ontario’s supply of critical minerals to attract investment in electric vehicle production.

Early in March, the provincial government proposed changes to Ontario’s Mining Act that will speed up approvals for new mining projects in an effort to boost Ontario’s production of minerals essential to electric vehicle batteries and other technologies.

The changes would speed up permits for new mines to begin operations and make it easier for companies to get a permit to recover minerals from mine tailings and waste. The proposed changes will be posted on Ontario’s environmental registry for public feedback until mid-April.

The U.S. government acted one year earlier, in March 2022, when President Joe Biden ordered more federal resources directed toward mining metals and minerals essential for electric vehicle batteries, including nickel, cobalt, graphite, and lithium.

This issue features articles on battery electric vehicles (BEVs), battery metals, decarbonization, and more. You can learn more on the latest BEV manufacturers’ product releases by reading the round up article on page 13. Flip to page 24 to learn how American Lithium is working to develop a domestic supply of critical minerals in North America.

Arca, a company that was established in the backyard of the University of British Columbia, has developed a technology that significantly accelerates the all-natural process of carbon mineralization in mine tailings; learn more from my interview with Paul Needham, CEO of Arca, on page 30.

Finally, our May issue will be devoted to mining in the digital age with a feature report on Mining in Canada. Relevant, novel editorial contributions can be sent to the Editor in Chief until Apr. 7, 2023. CMJ

• LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The EV supply chain in Canada should begin with the development of Windy Craggy, North America’s largest undeveloped cobalt-copper deposit. Though it was shuttered in a park for political reasons over 30 years ago when cobalt technology was not as robust as today, this deposit should be reviewed. The Champagne Aishihik First Nation in whose traditional territory this deposit occurs would now have rights to the metal in the ground via United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

Approximately $50 million has been spent resulting in a 1992 non-NI 43-101 compliant historical resource estimate of 297,400,000 tonnes: 1.38% Cu, 0.069% Co, 0.20 g/t Au, 3.83 g/t Ag using a 0.5% copper cut-off grade. This estimate should be considered a minimum, as a new zinc-rich zone was discovered at the end of latest drilling campaign in 1990. This deposit and surrounding area remain open for further exploration.

I have been involved with the Windy Craggy project since 1975 and was project geologist from 1989 to 1992. I have been engaged with Mr. James Allen (former chief of Champagne Aishihik First Nation) since 2011 regarding this project. This deposit can be developed via a mineral park and is a solution to the EV supply chain and subsequent decarbonization.

— Bruce Downing, MSc, P Geo, FGC, FEC (hon)

APRIL 2023 Vol. 144 – No . 03

225 Duncan Mill Rd. Suite 320, Toronto, Ontario M3B 3K9

Tel. (416) 510-6789 Fax (416) 510-5138 www.canadianminingjournal.com

Editor in Chief Dr. Tamer Elbokl TElbokl@CanadianMiningJournal.com

News Editors

Marilyn Scales mscales@canadianminingjournal.com

Moosa Imran mimran@canadianminingjournal.com

Production Manager

Jessica Jubb jjubb@glacierbizinfo.com

Advisory Board

David Brown (Golder Associates)

Michael Fox (Indigenous Community Engagement)

Scott Hayne (Redpath Canada)

Gary Poxleitner (SRK)

Manager of Product Distribution

Allison Mein 403-209-3515 amein@glacierrig.com

Publisher & Sales

Robert Seagraves

416-510-6891 rseagraves@canadianminingjournal.com

Sales, Western Canada

George Agelopoulos

416-510-5104 gagelopoulos@northernminer.com

Toll Free Canada & U.S.A.: 1-888-502-3456 ext 2 or 43734

Circulation Toll Free Canada & U.S.A.: 1-888-502-3456 ext 3

President, The Northern Miner Group

Anthony Vaccaro

Established 1882

Canadian Mining Journal provides articles and information of practical use to those who work in the technical, administrative and supervisory aspects of exploration, mining and processing in the Canadian mineral exploration and mining industry. Canadian Mining Journal (ISSN 0008-4492) is published 10 times a year by Glacier Resource Innovation Group (GRIG). GRIG is located at 225 Duncan Mill Rd., Ste. 320, Toronto, ON, M3B 3K9 Phone (416) 510-6891.

Legal deposit: National Library, Ottawa. Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. The contents of this magazine are protected by copyright and may be used only for your personal non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved and commercial use is prohibited. To make use of any of this material you must first obtain the permission of the owner of the copyright. For further information please contact Robert Seagraves at 416-510-6891. Subscriptions – Canada: $51.95 per year; $81.50 for two years. USA: US$64.95 per year. Foreign: US$77.95 per year. Single copies: Canada $10; USA and foreign: US$10. Canadian subscribers must add HST and Provincial tax where necessary. HST registration # 809744071RT001.

From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods:

Phone: 1-888-502-3456 ext 3; E-mail: amein@glacierrig.com

Mail to: Allison Mein,

225 Duncan Mill Rd., Ste 320, Toronto, ON M3B 3K9

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.