2-02128

EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES AT THE NORTHERN MINES MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (April 4, 2002) - Federal and territorial ministers responsible for mining in the North are meeting today at the Northern Mines Ministers' Conference in Yellowknife, NWT, to discuss key mining issues and to bring focus to northern development potential. The meeting will be co-hosted by Minister Robert D. Nault, Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Minister Jim Antoine, Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development for the Government of the Northwest Territories.

"This conference highlights the importance of a healthy northern mining industry which will attract investors and strengthen business and employment opportunities for communities and Aboriginal people in the North," said Minister Nault. "We are committed to working with the territorial governments to raise the profile of, and provide public support for, mining in the North."

Minister Antoine noted that, "the Northern Mines Ministers' Conference provides a venue for industry partners, operating in the north, to voice their concerns. It is our goal to work collaboratively with all our partners to develop solutions."

"The North holds the resources and the undiscovered potential for the future. We will continue to provide the resources to maintain Canadians' standard of living. As the demand for minerals around the world grows, the North's relatively untapped resources will gather more interest," said Minister Scott Kent, Energy, Mines and Resources in the Yukon.

Industry is looking for certainty and clarity on government expectations. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the territorial governments share this goal and are exploring opportunities to improve upon the way resource management responsibilities are carried out in the North to facilitate new and support current mineral development activities. This includes finding effective ways to bring Aboriginal organizations into the discussions and seeking continuing input from industry.

"Conferences such as this will help ensure mining continues to play an important role in the economic development of the North. Working with the mining industry is a key element in making certain resource development benefits everyone," said Minister Olayuk Akesuk, Sustainable Development for Nunavut.

The Northern Mines Ministers' Conference was convened following recommendations made by the Industry Government Overview Committee (IGOC) that the federal and territorial ministers responsible for mining in the North should meet to review mining issues and to work towards solutions that will encourage northern mineral investment. IGOC is composed of representatives from industry, the territorial governments, Aboriginal organizations, Natural Resources Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

For more information, please contact:

Line Gagnon
Senior Communications Officer
Communication, Marketing and Consultations
NWT Region - DIAND
(867) 669-2605

Tracy St-Denis
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 873-7134

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