Canada to Fund Diamond Mapping, Mining Training
Canada is renewing its Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals program, with a $100 million commitment over seven years from the federal budget. That follows a previous allocation of $100 million over five years from the federal budget in 2008.
The increased reliable geological information will increase investment from companies conducting exploration, including diamond companies. Canada also has gold, rare earths, copper, zinc and lead deposits.
The minerals industry has played an important role to date in facilitating northern development, with GDP contributions in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut of 24.2% and 26%, respectively. In 2012, these areas attracted nearly $450 million in exploration investment.
The GEM program renewal follows skills training announcements from Prime Minister Stephen Harper during a recent northern tour. This includes $5.8 million over two years to support the Northwest Territories Mine Training Society for a new mining sector-skills training program in the Northwest Territories and in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.
Harper also announced support for the creation of a new Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining, a $5.6 million investment over four years. Both programs aim to help Aboriginal peoples and northerners obtain the training and skills required for well-paying and highly-technical positions in the growing mining industry.
