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The Government of Canada announced up to $10 million in infrastructure funding, pending final due diligence, to Torngat Metals for its Strange Lake Northern Transportation Infrastructure Project.
With this funding, Torngat Metals will undertake pre-development activities related to the construction of a road of about 170-kilometres in northern Quebec and Labrador and new port facilities on the coast of Labrador. These activities will include engagement with Indigenous communities, environmental reviews and other planning and design work. This new access road will allow rare earth elements (REEs) mined in Nunavik, Quebec, to reach new port facilities in Labrador for onward shipping to separation and processing facilities.
“This project, under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy’s flagship program, will help advance the development of the necessary transportation infrastructure to expand Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador’s sustainable critical minerals production, notably rare earths that are used in electronics, clean energy, aerospace, automotive and defence. Developments like this help mines get built faster, and they are a key element in seizing the generational opportunity before us. The Government of Canada is supporting projects that strengthen Canada’s supply chains and foster economic growth while creating good jobs,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
These infrastructure improvements will serve Torngat Metals’ Strange Lake Rare Earth Project, with its globally significant quantities of heavy and light rare earths — namely dysprosium, neodymium, praseodymium and terbium — and help establish Canada as a leader in rare earths production and separation. REEs are necessary components in diverse industrial and high-technology applications, including electronics, clean energy, aerospace, automotive and defence. From everyday technologies like cellphones and computer hard drives, to defence applications like electronic displays, radar and sonar systems, REEs play a critical role in national security, clean energy and economic growth. Through this project, Canada can become a global supply chain leader in rare earth elements at time where there is a critical shortage of heavy rare earth elements outside China.
“We are thrilled to receive this pivotal support from NRCan, which underscores the strategic importance of our Strange Lake Project in addressing the global rare earth supply challenge. The Torngat Metals team is looking forward to collaborating with the Canadian, Quebec and Labrador governments to advance and accelerate the only project in North America ready to scale both heavy and light rare earth production, and supporting Canada’s leadership in key global supply chains,” said Dr. Dirk Naumann, president and CEO of Torngat Metals.
Natural Resources Canada is providing this conditional funding to Torngat Metals through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF)’s pre-construction stream. The CMIF is a key program under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to address infrastructure gaps, enable critical minerals production and connect resources to markets through various clean energy, electrification and transportation infrastructure projects. Additional funding decisions for projects under the CMIF to further critical minerals infrastructure developments are expected in the coming months.
“This investment in critical minerals infrastructure is vital for improving access to rare earth elements mined in northern Quebec. We’re supporting projects that will increase clean energy production and grow our economy,” said Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport.
As global demand for critical minerals is expected to double by 2040, Canada is uniquely positioned to benefit from this growing market: we are abundant in many critical minerals and have the workers, businesses and communities with the know-how to scale up the mining, processing and manufacturing of products and the recycling of these minerals responsibly. Critical minerals present a huge economic opportunity for workers — with the potential for hundreds of thousands of jobs to be created while stepping up to become the supplier of choice for our allies on the world stage and reduce our reliance on authoritarian governments.
“I am pleased to see this significant investment in critical minerals infrastructure, which will create jobs and drive sustainable economic growth in Labrador. The Strange Lake Northern Transportation Infrastructure Project represents a key step in unlocking the immense potential of Labrador’s resources while prioritizing collaboration with Indigenous communities and environmental stewardship. This initiative highlights the important role Labrador plays in advancing Canada’s leadership in rare earth elements and securing a clean and prosperous future for all Canadians,” said Yvonne Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern Affairs and MP for Labrador. |
