EDMONTON — Prime Minister Mark Carney has released the federal government’s initial list of major projects to be considered by the new Major Projects Office, and one of those is in east central Saskatchewan
The McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project was one of five major projects announced this morning that are being referred to the new MPO.
The McIlvenna Bay project is located west of Creighton, and includes both an underground mine, and a processing facility above ground. According to the province, the processing facility will have capacity of 4,900 tonnes per day of ore producing copper, zinc, gold and silver over an initial 18-year mine life.
The Feds' news release points to collaboration with the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and they note that this project will supply the critical minerals of copper and zinc to "strengthen Canada’s position as a global supplier of critical minerals." It is expected to be the first net-zero copper project in Canada and will create an estimated 400 jobs, according to the federal government’s news release.
Four other projects are being referred to the MPO for consideration: the LNG Canada Phase 2 in Kitimat, British Columbia; the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Bowmanville, Ontario, the Contrecœur Terminal Container Project in Contrecœur, Québec, and the Red Chris Mine expansion in northwest British Columbia.
“The first projects have achieved many regulatory milestones and have undertaken extensive engagement with Indigenous Peoples, provincial governments, local authorities, proponents, and other stakeholders,” the federal government states in a news release.
“For these first projects, the work of the Major Projects Office will be to close final regulatory and permitting gaps, co-ordinate with provinces and territories, and ensure financing plans can be achieved. The MPO will recommend to the federal government the best course to complete each project approval quickly so proponents can make smart investment decisions.”
The government also points to a number of strategies for transformative projects for the country which are at an earlier stage of development: the critical minerals strategy, Wind West Atlantic Energy, Pathways Plus carbon capture and storage project in Alberta, an Arctic Economic and Security Corridor, a project to upgrade the Port of Churchill and expand trade corridors; and high speed rail.
Prime Minister Carney made the announcement Thursday in Edmonton.
"At this moment of transformative change, Canada’s new government is focused on delivering major projects to connect our communities, empower Canadian workers, and build Canada’s strength. With the first in a series of new projects, we will build big, build now, and build Canada strong," said Carney in a statement.
“We’re delivering quickly and effectively on projects that have long-term benefits for all Canadians, and building major infrastructure that will connect and transform our nation’s economy," said Dominic LeBlanc, president of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy.
"These are the first of many projects to come, projects that will also ensure meaningful results, in partnership with the new Indigenous Advisory Council.”
In a news release issued Thursday, the provincial government pointed to its Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive as supporting development of the McIlvenna Bay mine, which is expected to start production in mid-2026.
The government said this incentive was introduced to support value-added processing projects for 11 emerging critical minerals found in Saskatchewan, including copper and zinc.
"It is incredibly exciting to see this critical minerals project come to life in Saskatchewan," said Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young in a news release.
"Our province's rich resources, competitive business environment and reliable regulatory framework make Saskatchewan one of the top places in the world for companies like Foran to invest in major projects. Our government appreciates Foran's decision to centre its operations in Saskatchewan, and we look forward to the McIlvenna Bay mine growing our economy and continuing to create long term employment opportunities in the north."
