New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt declared her province's new comprehensive minerals strategy will establish the province as Canada's premier mining destination, according to a news report in the Financial Post.
Holt addressed attendees at Monday's Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, stating the province intends to process permits faster than any competitor while maintaining rigorous Canadian standards. She emphasized that projects will attract investment and launch quickly under the new framework.
The strategy prioritizes several key areas to boost mining activity. New Brunswick will streamline regulatory and permitting procedures, implement targeted incentives to enhance competitiveness and stimulate new mine development, and coordinate local planning for infrastructure, housing, essential services and workforce development to prevent growth from overwhelming local systems.
The plan promotes substantial Indigenous participation by expanding opportunities for Indigenous-owned businesses in the mineral development supply chain. Officials also plan to increase awareness among investors, suppliers and the public.
Holt unveiled the strategy alongside Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson and New Brunswick Natural Resources Minister John Herron. Herron stated the province seeks to extract significant wealth from its natural resources.
Herron highlighted that New Brunswick's geology contains 21 of the 34 critical minerals identified by the federal government. Holt identified potash, uranium, zinc, copper, tungsten, molybdenum, indium, antimony and manganese among these valuable resources.
The premier noted that New Brunswick's compact size provides strategic advantages, with minerals located near transportation infrastructure. The province features 40,000 kilometers of forested roads, rail connections, and two deep-water ports, including Belledunne's bulk and minerals facility that enables worldwide transshipment. Holt emphasized that workers can extract resources, transport them to ports, access processing facilities, and live in permanent homes rather than temporary camps.
Mining previously contributed approximately seven percent of New Brunswick's gross domestic product but declined over two decades to less than one percent currently.
Holt expressed confidence that New Brunswick will transition from demonstrating potential to delivering performance. As new investments and projects launch, the province will develop forecasts projecting their economic contributions.
The premier set ambitious targets, hoping to double mining's GDP contribution from one percent to two percent, then reach four percent by 2030.
More information on the new policy framework is available at www.Gnb.ca/en/news/n-b.2026.03.government-releases-minerals-strategy.html
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