For Immediate Release
November 13, 2024
Last week at the Mineral Resources Review 2024 Conference, the Government of Canada announced investment in a ‘Labrador West Transmission Study’ to help explore expanding transmission infrastructure in support of mining in Labrador West.
“This investment is an excellent example of the economic growth potential that a focus on decarbonization can have,” said Kieran Hanley, econext‘s CEO.
The funding announced will help Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro complete a study, which is the next step in understanding the requirements to build an additional transmission line between Churchill Falls and Labrador West. If this infrastructure were to be completed, it would make more clean energy resources available to existing and future critical minerals projects in the region.
“This could have three important impacts,” said Hanley.
“First, this could represent a significant investment into NL’s clean energy infrastructure – helping us to make the most of the world class hydro resources that we have while creating green jobs and business opportunities in the process.”
Second, Hanley said that the availability of additional clean electricity could allow mining operations in Western Labrador to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which would be a significant help to both industry and the province in meeting their climate change targets.
“Lastly, this could help to further position Newfoundland and Labrador as a clean energy and critical minerals powerhouse,” said Hanley, noting it will open the door to future low-carbon mining activities that will help supply the world with the materials that it needs to facilitate the energy transition.
“We applaud the efforts of Natural Resources Canada, our provincial government, NL Hydro, and industry to partner on initiatives like these which help to unlock the province’s economic potential.”
econext is a not-for-profit association with a mission to accelerate clean growth in Newfoundland and Labrador by: (1) stimulating research, development, and innovation; (2) preparing its workforce for a greening economy; and (3) acting as a catalyst for climate change action within its industries, businesses, and communities.
econext has been working for over 30 years on behalf of its members across many sectors to support environmentally sustainable economic development. More information can be found at https://econext.ca.
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