Québec City, January 23, 2024 – The Québec Mining Association (QMA) is optimistic about the future of mineral development following the press conference of the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, who presented her action Plan for 2023-2025. This update to the Québec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals reaffirms the government’s goal of developing the CSM sector by setting goals and defining measures that will allow Québec to play a leading role on the world stage as a critical minerals producer.
Québec’s subsoil is a rich source of the CSMs needed for the energy transition. As the first link in the value chain, Québec’s mining industry will play a key role in the development of the battery sector and worldwide decarbonization. Québec offers one of the world’s most qualified workforces and a responsible and respectful approach that makes it more attractive for investors and CSM consumers.
The QMA is pleased to note that the list of CSMs has been extended to include minerals such as manganese, aluminum, apatite, germanium, high-grade silica and, above all, high-grade iron. Québec enjoys a world-beating advantage for the production of low-carbon steel using high-grade iron ore from the Labrador Trough. This unique ore contributes to the production of green steel, a critical material that is essential for the production of the equipment needed for the energy transition such as wind generators, hydroelectric dams, solar panels, electric vehicles and geothermal facilities.
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“Québec is a rich source of CSMs and some of the mineral deposits discovered are world-class. This is a key advantage for the province. However, to take advantage of the situation access to public land is needed to enable exploration work to continue in order to discover the mines of the future.”
Josée Méthot, QMA President and CEO
“Québec’s mining industry has shown, in recent years, that it is focused on a responsible approach to mining projects that ensures respect for communities and for the environment. By updating the Plan, the government has confirmed that the mining sector can offer a genuine solution to climate issues and a source of enrichment for Québec with enormous potential. The positive benefits of CSMs development add to the benefits that Québec already derives from the traditional sector by creating even more value from our mineral resources.”
About the Québec Mining Association
The Québec Mining Association (QMA) was founded in 1936 and speaks proactively for mining companies involved in exploration, extraction and processing, mining contractors and junior mining companies, along with suppliers, institutions, non-profit organizations and other mining sector partners. It is proud of the 48,187 jobs and activities totalling $11.7 billion generated by Québec’s mining industry in 2020. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and proactively develop a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.
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