Northwest territories MINERAL INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Generations to Come
In the post-devolution climate of the Northwest Territories (NWT), the mining industry is planning and preparing for long term success Submitted by Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Government of the Northwest Territories. The Northwest Territories (NWT) has a wealth of mineral potential. Since the start of the mining industry in the territory more than 80 years ago, exploration and development have been vital to the economy and the future looks favourable. The NWT currently has four producing mines, five advanced exploration projects, and exploration activity is increasing, with rejuvenated interest in diamonds. There is significant exploration interest brewing. While the mining industry accounted for 29 per cent of the NWT’s
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Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012, it is expected to rise to 38 per cent by 2018. The mining industry is the largest private sector contributor to the NWT economy and the largest private sector employer. Since the construction phase of the Ekati Diamond Mine started in 1996, the three diamond mines (Diavik and Snap Lake diamond mines included) combined have provided employment of more than 18,000 NWT person years and purchased nearly $10 billion from NWT businesses.
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The plan: managing resources in the NWT The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is now responsible for managing public land, water, and resources in the NWT. Devolution of these responsibilities from the federal government to the GNWT is the key to helping unlock the NWT’s vast mineral and resources potential. With this transfer of powers, future resource development decisions relating to the NWT will be made by those who live and work here. The NWT Mineral Development Strategy (MDS) is a blueprint to guide the GNWT’s long-term actions and decisions. The MDS was released in 2013, and focuses on enhancing geoscience information, increasing exploration, evaluating infrastructure needs, building aboriginal capacity, further developing the NWT labour force, and creating a competitive edge. One of the recommendations of the MDS was to develop a Mining Incentive Program (MIP). The MIP was launched this summer and is designed to fund eligible prospectors and mining exploration com-