A 170-kilometre all-season road to a zinc mine in the Dehcho region will take two years to build and cost roughly $256 million.
Ultimately the privately held NorZinc Ltd., could generate $8 billion of high-grade zinc concentrate over the next 20 years, meaning employment and business opportunities for Indigenous people and substantial revenues for Canada and the GNWT, say proponents.
Michael McLeod is MP for the Northwest Territories. He spoke at a media conference in Yellowknife on Monday.
He said his government’s investment of $25 million through the National Trade Corridors Fund, along with more than $231 million from NorZinc,will allow the all-season road from Highway 7 to the Prairie Creek mine site project to drive economic benefits such as training and jobs to the area.
The all-season road will replace a winter road and be owned by NorZinc and will see heavy equipment dominating the lanes in both directions.
NorZinc’s Prairie Creek zinc-lead-silver project in the Dehcho. (Photo courtesy of NorZinc)
It will provide year-round transportation access to the Prairie Creek mine site, national park areas and Indigenous traditional territories.
Robin Bienenstock is the executive chair of NorZinc Ltd.
After years of feasibility studies and license applications, the once-controversial project is now “shovel ready,” said Bienenstock.
“Like so many projects in the north, the single biggest challenge for Prairie Creek is in getting infrastructure into and overcoming the infrastructure deficit that a lot of the Northwest Territories faces.
“So this first support from the National Trade Corridor Fund is a critical foundation and first step for the project to be able to bring benefits to all of the data region and to the Northwest Territories.”
“It will also I think, really critically and I just can’t say enough how much I am grateful for the continued collaboration of the First Nations, I really think that we’re going to bring opportunities with regards to employment development, housing, training, infrastructure, and hopefully the creation of new businesses in the region.”
The critical minerals project has the support of the Liidlii Kue First Nation (Fort Simpson) and Nahanni Butte Dene Band.
The road could also increase access to tourism and eco-tourism in the Nahanni Park Nature Reserve.
Kele Antoine is chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation.
“By harnessing the economic infrastructure and environmental benefits that this project offers, we can propel our community towards sustainable development. This endeavor aligned seamlessly with the principles of Treaty 11, which we hold dear,” he said.
“Our collaboration with NorZinc underscores the vital importance of respecting our traditional knowledge and ensuring that any development project not only respects our heritage, but also contributes to the long-term prosperity, and well-being of Indigenous communities.
“Together, we can advance our goals, fostering a future that honors our past while building a stronger, more sustainable tomorrow for all members of the Liidlii Kue First Nation and the Nahanni Butte Dene Band.”
