Manitoba is a global destination for mineral resources, reports exponential sales in mineral resources, exploration, investment and sales

Provided by Manitoba Resource Development

The Manitoba government is focused on growing mineral exploration and development through an enhanced regulatory environment and opportunities that create stronger partnerships and attract investment to foster economic prosperity across the province.

In 2021, the total value of mineral sales in Manitoba was $1.3 billion (B) – up from $1.09B in 2020 and $1.08B in 2019. For 2022, Natural Resources Canada estimates a 37 per cent increase in the mineral sales value in Manitoba at $1.8B.

In 2022, exploration expenditures in Manitoba increased to a record $169.9 million (M), comprising four per cent of the national expenditures total and representing a 71 per cent increase from 2021 and a 175 per cent increase from 2020. Of that investment, $117.1M was spent on exploration activities (up from $76.6M in 2021) and $52.8M was spent on deposit appraisals (up from $22.6M in 2021).

In 2020, exploration spending in Manitoba shifted from precious metals to base metals, with an investment in base metals totaling $27.9M in 2020, nearly doubling in 2021 at $99.2M and almost tripling in 2022 at $110.8M.

Economic Development

In 2022, Manitoba continued to attract significant mineral industry investments of $723.7M, representing 3.5 per cent of the national share, and an increase from $535.5M in 2021.

This increased activity is also a reflection of the amount of land currently disposed for mineral exploration. As of December 31, 2022, Manitoba had issued 759 dispositions, compared to 625 dispositions in 2021. The total amount of land in Manitoba under disposition for minerals is roughly 6.45 million hectares (11.7 per cent of the province’s surface area).

Manitoba continues to rise in the rankings as a global destination for mining investment. In its Annual Survey of Mining Companies in 2022, the Fraser Institute ranked Manitoba fifth in Canada and 14th globally for mining investment attractiveness, based on feedback related to geological potential and regulatory environments from 62 globallyactive mining companies.

Critical Minerals

Manitoba is focused on critical mineral development to support the clean and green global transition, with occurrences of 29 or the 31 minerals identified by Canada as “critical.” Of these 29 occurrences, 19 are actively being produced or explored in Manitoba, including lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements, recognized by Canada as having the greatest opportunity to fuel domestic manufacturing.

Mineral Details

Potash

Manitoba’s first commercial potash development, a partnership between Pot- ash and Agri Development Corporation of Manitoba Ltd. (PADCOM) and Gambler First Nation, launched in Harrowby in June 2023. The new selective solution facility is anticipated to expand to 250,000 tonnes per year as the facility ramps up production.

The province is also planning to enter another tenure agreement with PADCOM that would expand further exploration to define target areas north of the existing facility.

Gold

Manitoba’s total value of shipments for gold reached $278M in 2021, a 39 per cent increase from 2020, and is estimated to reach $334M in 2022.

Manitoba’s precious metal exploration expenditures for 2022 totaled $40.6, an increase from $33.6M in 2021 and nearly double the $20.4M spent in 2018. Recent gold exploration programs in Manitoba include projects in the Snow Lake area by Hudbay Minerals, KG Exploration and Laser Gold. In addition, 1911 Gold advanced exploration programs near Bissett and Willeson Metals progressed exploration activities in Lynn Lake. There are currently several active gold programs across the province, including projects by Alamos Gold and 55 North Mining in Lynn Lake; programs by Boreal Gold and Canadian Gold near Flin Flon; and multiple programs in the Snow Lake area by Hudbay Minerals and KG Exploration.

Base Metals

Manitoba’s 2021 total value of shipments for base metals totalled $7M for cobalt (estimated at $16M in 2022), $248M for copper (estimated at $261M in 2022 and up from $138M in 2020), $242M for nickel (estimated at $531M in 2022 and up from $187M in 2020) and $341M in zinc (estimated at $407M in 2022 and up from $290M in 2020).

In 2022, base metal exploration expenditures in Manitoba totalled $110.8M, up from $62.8M spent in 2021 and more than five times spending in 2018. Recent base metal exploration programs occurred in the southeast by Grid Metals, the northeast by Wolfden Resources and throughout the Snow Lake and Flin Flon areas by Hudbay Minerals and their recently-acquired Rockcliff Metals. In addition, Vale, Flying Nickel Mining and CanAlaska Uranium advanced programs along the Thompson Nickel Belt. Several active base metal projects are being advanced by Corazon Mining in Lynn Lake; Anglo American near Gillam; Callinex Mines near Flin Flon; throughout the Snow Lake area by Hudbay Minerals, T2 Metals, and Wolfden Resources; and along the Thompson Nickel Belt by Leeuwin Metals, Norcangeo, Metal Energy, Stuhini Exploration, and Vale.

Lithium and Specialty Metals

Manitoba is home to Sinomine Resources’ Tanco Mine, the only producer of cesium in North America. At the end of 2021, the Tanco Mine shifted focus from tantalum to lithium spodumene concentrate, with plans to upgrade its mill to expand processing capacity. Sinomine is also undertaking a feasibility study to consider establishing a lithium hydroxide refinery to supply the North American market with battery-grade lithium. In addition, Grid Metals recently signed a toll milling agreement with the Tanco Mine and a binding lease agreement to use 1911 Gold’s True North gold mill in Bissett for the production of lithium spodumene concentrate.

Recent exploration programs targeting lithium from hard rock spodumene occur in the southeast region by Grid Metals and Acme Lithium, as well as in the Snow Lake area by 1911 Gold, Foremost Lithium, Strider Resources and Snow Lake Lithium.

In addition to nickel and copper, Grid Metals is targeting platinum group metals at its southeastern properties and Vale’s Thompson Mine is producing platinum group elements from its mineral concentrates processed at Vale’s other facilities in Canada. Gem Oil Inc. is also advancing exploration for rare earth elements near Moose Lake. ✘