On
A Focus on Exploration: The Canadian Approach
Similar to the Australian Strategy, the Canadian Strategy recognizes that exploration is the starting point if
Permitting Delays and Reform
In
The Australian Strategy recognizes that "[n]ew mining, processing and manufacturing projects can take more than 10 years to reach production, particularly when doing so in a sustainable way supported by local communities."2 And, in that vein, under the guise of promoting
In
The revised Canadian Strategy does not envisage permitting reform in the sense of amending the existing environmental assessment laws and regulations. The 2021 and 2022 budgets include three initiatives to help accelerate project development:
-
"
$40 million to support northern regulatory processes in reviewing and permitting critical minerals projects; and$21.5 million to support theCritical Minerals Centre of Excellence (CMCE) to develop federal policies and programs on critical minerals and to assist project developers in navigating regulatory processes and federal support measures."5
It remains to be seen if these initiatives will accelerate permitting of new mines. It will be interesting to watch what the federal government will do on that front now that the
First Nations Engagement and Benefit Sharing
The Australian Strategy states that "more than 60 per cent of Australian resources projects, including exploration and extraction, operate on land covered by a Native Title claim or determination (...). Proponents are required to negotiate land use and access. In the
The Australian Strategy states that "[e]ngaging with First Nations communities risks being seen as simply a step in a checklist for approval, particularly where there are multiple complex approval processes. But effective engagement and consultation with First Nations communities can support meaningful negotiations for access to land and land use proposals under existing land rights legislation or the Native Title Act 1993, and provide local employment opportunities, skills development and investment in the community."8
Similarly, the Canadian Strategy explicitly states that the efforts of the Canadian government to advance critical minerals development will be based on respect for Aboriginal and treaty rights, as well as meaningful engagement, partnership and collaboration with First Nations.
Interestingly, the mining sector is the second-largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in
The Australian Strategy was released after the coming into force of
"The international investment landscape is shifting rapidly as governments around the world race to incentivize investment in diversifying and expanding critical minerals supply chains. Recent announcements from the US and EU aim to drive historic investments in clean energy supply chains, turbocharge its decarbonization efforts and transform the environment for businesses globally."9
In that vein, in
The original Canadian Strategy was released in
Financial Support
The Australian Strategy states that the Australian government will focus on developing strategically important projects and that it will provide "[t]argeted, proportionate support [...] to de-risk strategically important critical minerals projects, attract private finance and ensure Australian processing and manufacturing projects can access Australian minerals."11
The Australian Strategy mentions that the government already supports strategically important projects at vulnerable points in their development, using the AU$100 million Critical Minerals Development Program and supporting projects through loans, guarantees and equity investments through organisms such as Export Finance Australia, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and the
Similarly, the Canadian Strategy, which is backed by nearly
With respect to project development, the Strategy says that the federal government will provide financial and administrative support to accelerate the development of strategic projects in mining, processing, manufacturing and waste reduction. The
An existing program, the
The Workforce
The Australian Strategy devotes a chapter on "Growing a skilled workforce" and the Canadian Strategy does the same by focusing on "Growing a diverse workforce and prosperous communities." Both strategies rely on programs to address the skills shortage looming on the 2030 horizon.
Conclusion
Footnotes
1. Page 5 of the Australian Strategy.
2. Page 11 of the Australian Strategy.
3. Page 21 of the Australian Strategy.
4. Page 24 of the Australian Strategy.
5. Page 11 of the
6. Reference re Impact Assessment Act, 2023 SCC 23
7. Page 31 of the Australian Strategy.
8. Ibid.
9. Page 6 of the Australian Strategy.
10. Page 34 of the
11. Page 5 of the Australian Strategy.
12. Page 20 of the Canadian Strategy.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
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