Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning metals and non-metals miners, explorers and prospectors. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-19

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Coal Mining, 2023: National Data Now Available

Statistics Canada has released national-level data for the coal mining industry, detailing operating revenue, expenses, employment, and payroll for 2023. The dataset is available on request and is intended for users who require sector-wide financial and labor benchmarks in coal mining. This release provides updated information relevant for analyzing recent performance in the coal segment of the mineral extraction industry.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Human Resources Module of the Canadian Economy, 2023: Sectoral Employment Estimates

Statistics Canada has published annual estimates from the Human Resources Module, offering insights into the number of jobs, hours worked, and compensation by employee characteristics for 2023. Coverage includes the natural resources sector, enabling users to compare mining-related workforce data by age, gender, education, and immigration status.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Nova Scotia Expands Critical and Strategic Minerals List

Nova Scotia's updated critical minerals strategy now includes high purity silica, silver, tellurium, and uranium, with an additional new list of four 'strategic minerals.' The update aligns with the Canadian critical minerals list and aims to attract investment and support job growth in the sector.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

$6.2M Quebec Infrastructure Upgrade at Matagami Transshipment Yard

The Government of Quebec is investing $6.2 million in the Matagami transshipment yard, with Rio Tinto and Nemaska Lithium contributing $3 million. The upgrade is designed to support ore transport and critical mineral projects in the Nord-du-Québec region.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Saskatchewan Launches Low Productivity and Reactivation Oil Well Program

Saskatchewan has introduced a new royalty structure through the Low Productivity and Reactivation Oil Well Program (LPRP), targeting increased production from low-producing and inactive wells. The program aims to add 30,000 barrels per day by its final year and generate $21 million in royalty.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Ontario Budget Includes $500M Critical Minerals Processing Fund

Ontario's 2025 Budget introduces a new $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund and increases loan guarantees for Indigenous equity partnerships to $3 billion. Additional supports for training, infrastructure, and manufacturing tax credits are detailed to boost mineral sector competitiveness.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Delegation to U.S. Focuses on Energy Security and Trade

MLA Angela Pitt will attend U.S. legislative meetings in San Antonio to discuss Alberta's role in North American energy security.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Alberta Freezes Industrial Carbon Price amid U.S. Tariffs

In response to U.S. tariffs, Alberta is freezing its industrial carbon price at $95/tonne. The move is directed at providing economic certainty to sectors including oil and gas, mining, and manufacturing.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Saskatchewan Nuclear Mission to Poland for World Nuclear Supply Chain Conference

Minister Jeremy Harrison is leading a Saskatchewan delegation to Poland to promote partnership and investment opportunities in nuclear energy and uranium mining, citing record uranium exports and workforce development initiatives.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Shannon Stubbs commented that nearly all of TMX’s capacity is already committed under contract and criticized the federal oil and gas cap as restrictive for producers.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Blake Richards presented a set of proposals aimed at overturning what he called 'anti-development laws,' including scrapping Bill C-69, ending the energy cap, eliminating the industrial carbon tax, and lifting the offshore shipping ban.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Bob Zimmer posted comments regarding the economic state of the Northwest Territories, referencing conversations about economic conditions in the mining sector and the broader impacts of perceived federal government policies.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Richard Bragdon referenced the need for increased Canadian self-reliance on X (formerly Twitter), stating that energy security, infrastructure, pipelines, and corridor development remain vital for the country. MP Shannon Stubbs cited the lack of new access to pipeline capacity, noting that almost all Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) capacity is under long-term contract.

Sources: Social Media: x.com, Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Alberta Energy Regulator approves Northback coal mining project in Rockies: Report on regulatory approval for a new coal mining development.
• Talisker Renews Milling Agreement with Nicola Mining, Starts Trucking: Update on milling and logistics agreements for gold mining operations.
• Mayfair Gold: Advancing a Modern Vision for Gold Mining: Feature on operational advancements in gold mining.
• 'Diamonds are forever,' but not necessarily so for northern mining industry: Examination of lab-grown diamonds and implications for northern producers.
• Ontario First Nations respond as Bill 5 passes legislature: Coverage of legislative developments impacting Indigenous rights in resource extraction zones.