Lithium companies urge N.W.T. MLAs to speed up mining regulatory processes

Lithium exploration companies told N.W.T. MLAs that the territory is running out of time to capitalize on lithium resources. 

Representatives from Li-FT Power, Lake Winn Resources and North Arrow Minerals all presented during a briefing to the N.W.T. economic development and environment committee on Thursday. All three have active lithium exploration projects in N.W.T.

Li-FT CEO Francis MacDonald told MLAs he believes N.W.T. lithium deposits could support a lithium mine that's competitive on the global market — but there isn't room for delay.

"There is a short window of opportunity here, and the reason for this is that lithium is quite common in the earth," he said. "We can't be waiting around to bring deposits online because there's a good chance they'll be obsolete."

After hearing similar comments during presentations from Lake Winn Resources and North Arrow Minerals, Yellowknife North MLA Shauna Morgan asked the presenters if there are any competitive advantages to building in the N.W.T.

"It sounds like there are lots of other places you could be instead, and it would be easier for you to be there," she said.

Ken Armstrong, CEO of North Arrow Minerals, said one advantage for the companies is the close proximity between the Hidden Lake deposit they are exploring and Yellowknife. The area is only a short hike away from the Ingraham Trail, a road close to the N.W.T. capital. 

"It's also the seat of governance and everything is right there. So all the supports that are needed, there's that experience that's there, service providers and developing Indigenous companies," said Armstrong.

Sahtu MLA Daniel McNeely said he supports development, but wanted to hear specific examples of challenges.

"Is it taking too long? Is it taking 120 days for a water licence? I would rather see the core of the problem on paper," said McNeely. 

April Hayward, Li-FT's chief sustainability officer, said permits are a relatively straightforward process, but argued the engagement that needs to be taken in advance of applying is not accounted for in permit timelines. 

"The capacity for Indigenous partners to meet us at the table in a meaningful way and to meaningfully participate in the regulatory process, it can be very challenging to get meetings with our Indigenous partners in advance," said Hayward.

She added that this elongates timelines, and said that anything that can be done to "support Indigenous capacity around the territory in terms of participating in the regulatory system is very important."

Hayward suggested the territorial government provide funding to Indigenous governments to create positions specifically to work through these processes.

"They have so much other stuff going on that they need to deal with and prioritize, there's just not the personnel and funding for stable positions in those communities."

Hayward also said potential changes to the N.W.T.'s Mineral Resources Act could coincide with lithium mines starting up, further delaying the process to get a mine up and running. She asked the committee to consider what regulatory changes are critical.