THE NWT MINERAL INDUSTRY’S GUIDE TO CANDIDATES AND VOTERS IN THE NWT 2015 ELECTION

6 November 2015

(Yellowknife, November 6, 2015) The Northwest Territories has come to an important turning point in its history. With Devolution, the NWT is now ready to strike out on its own, without Ottawa’s control, in building its own self-reliant future. With the NWT’s very large size and its tremendous geological potential, its economic strength lies in its non-renewable resources, particularly mining.

In the last 20 years, the NWT mining industry has become a major provider of benefits to northern and Aboriginal communities and businesses. NWT mines are leaders in safety, environmental protection, training, employment, and local business support. Today, mining’s direct and indirect benefits make up 40% of our economy. Our mines generate nearly $2 billion in annual revenues, almost the size of the entire NWT Government budget.

Keeping mining strong will be essential to the NWT’s future economic success.

The NWT Election later this month provides an opportunity for candidates to tell voters how they will make mining stronger, and in so doing, make the NWT a better place to work and live. The election also offers voters the chance to tell their candidates what actions they expect of them in supporting a strong mining economy when elected.  

The Chamber of Mines has prepared a Guide for voters and candidates to understand what is needed to strengthen the NWT’s minerals industry. The Guide describes key actions including:

  • Understanding the dilemma we face;
  • Providing clear and certain rules;
  • Ensuring there is access to land;
  • Using land use planning to clarify lands open for development;
  • Providing infrastructure and incentives to reduce costs; and
  • Increasing Northern benefits from mining through training, through reduced cost of living, and through increased public awareness.

We hope that this Guide will help both candidates and voters understand how they can help strengthen their northern minerals industry. Download it here.

For more information on the NWT and Nunavut mining industries, please visit the website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Tom Hoefer, Executive Director at Tel: 867-873-5281 or email: executivedirector@miningnorth.com. 

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