16 June 2020
The Northwest Territories’ mineral resources industry plays a major role in the lives of northerners and the economy of the North. From training to employment, from business benefits to community wellness initiatives such as donations and scholarships and many other investments, the opportunities and benefits abound.
To celebrate the Northwest Territories rich mineral resources history and the many opportunities and benefits the industry offers, this year’s NWT Mining Week, an NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines initiative supported by the Government of the Northwest Territories, is going virtual.
NWT Mining Week 2020 gets underway Sunday, June 21 and concludes Saturday, June 27.
“Now more than ever, as we continue to navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of our industry to northern residents, to communities, to businesses, many of which are Indigenous-owned, and to governments, has never been clearer,” said NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines President Ken Armstrong.
“NWT Mining Week is an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge our industry’s rich history, to learn more about our modern mineral resources industry, and to envision its role as an even stronger part of the future of the North,” he added.
“The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t changed our territory’s need for mining, exploration and development,” said Katrina Nokleby, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment. “This sector has always been the biggest source of private sector jobs and income for our residents and it will be the anchor to our economic recovery efforts. As mines return to full operations or when new projects advance, they will, once again, be major buyers of products and services from Northern companies and employers to our residents,” she said.
NWT Mining Week 2020 materials will be hosted on the MiningNorthWorks! website. The week’s activities include launch of the NWT walking app, which features geological tours, videos highlighting Ranney Hill geology, downtown Yellowknife geology, a geologist’s role, and mine training society programs. During the week, social media posts through the chamber’s Facebook and Twitter social media will highlight aspects of the mineral resources industry.
The celebration also includes a new on-line mining booklet with several fun and informational activities for kids of all ages. Produced through a partnership of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Mining North Works! public awareness program, the Government of the Northwest Territories, Yukon Mining Alliance, Yukon Women in Mining, and Mining Matters, the booklet provides a resource activity that can be completed at home.
See Backgrounder attached for additional information on the NWT minerals industry.
NWT operating diamond mines
NWT mines diamond production (Source: NRCan 2019 preliminary estimate)
Value of minerals produced 2019 (Source: NRCan)
Employment and training 2018 (Source: NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines)
Business spend 1996-2018 (Source: NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines)
Business spend 2018 (Source: NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines)
Economy
National facts and figures (Source: Mining Association of Canada)