'Building a new era': Mineral shipment from Port of Churchill first in more than two decades
![Port of Churchill The first ship leaving the Port of Churchill carrying critical minerals in more than two decades on Aug. 16, 2024. (Arctic Gateway Group)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/16/port-of-churchill-1-7003974-1723843562170.jpeg)
A major milestone was marked in northern Manitoba Friday as a shipment of "critical minerals" was exported from the Port of Churchill – something that hasn't happened in more than two decades.
The Arctic Gateway Group said zinc concentrate, which has been mined by Hudbay Minerals Inc. in Snow Lake, Man., has been delivered and stored at the port over the last two months, and today it was shipped from the port.
"We're building a new era of economic development and international trade for northern Manitoba while strongly supporting the principles of Indigenous reconciliation," said Mike Spence, the mayor of Churchill and the chair of Arctic Gateway Group.
He added the company has already been able to secure new contracts to export minerals to international markets.
In February, both the provincial and federal governments pledged $30 million each for northern Manitoba's economic future.
The money was distributed to Arctic Gateway to help with the redevelopment of the port and finish work on the Hudson Bay Railway.
"With a revitalized Hudson Bay Railway and Port of Churchill, jobs will be created, mining and forestry opportunities will open, and Bayline communities will have the opportunity to position themselves as a true gateway to the Arctic and the world," said Dan Vandal, the federal Minister of Northern Affairs, who is also responsible for PrairiesCan.
Rob Carter, the vice-president of Hudbay's Manitoba Business Unit, said this shipment was the first step for the port to bring products to the globe.
"We hope to build on this initial concentrate shipment to explore other mutually beneficial opportunities with Arctic Gateway Group in the future," said Carver.
The complete revitalization of the port is scheduled to finish in 2028. When done, it could bring in more than $1 billion annually for the Canadian economy, create over 5,500 jobs, improve Canada's supply chain, lower costs for Arctic communities and strengthen food security.
"This shipment shows the strength of Manitoba's resources and the opportunity of our deepwater port and Arctic trade corridor – we're exporting critical minerals mined in Manitoba through a Manitoba port using infrastructure built by Manitobans," said Spence.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7033216.1726021317!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
FACT CHECK: A look at the false and misleading claims made during the Trump-Harris debate
In their first and perhaps only debate, former U.S. president Donald Trump and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris described the state of the country in starkly different terms. As the two traded jabs, some old false and misleading claims emerged along with some new ones.
Singh not 'anxious' to launch election, says his top adviser
Jagmeet Singh's top adviser says the NDP leader is not particularly eager to trigger an election. But Anne McGrath, Singh's principal secretary, says there will be more volatility in Parliament and the odds of an early election have risen.
Quebec woman wins MAID case to die at home after legal fight with landlord
A woman who requested medical assistance in dying (MAID) won a major case in front of the Quebec rental board. She wanted to die at home, but her landlord didn't want her to.
Key takeaways from a debate that featured tense clashes and closed with a Taylor Swift endorsement
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage for the first — and possibly the last — time.
Mother of suspected Apalachee High School shooter apologizes to victims' families in open letter
The mother of the teenager suspected of killing four people during last week’s shooting at a Georgia high school has apologized to the victims' families in an open letter while insisting her son 'is not a monster.'
Some restaurants have increased their default tip options. Canadians think you should give this much
Despite what the default options on the payment terminal might read, most Canadians still want to tip around 15 per cent, according to a new survey.
WATCH LIVE Liberals put up united front after fractious summer at Nanaimo retreat
Liberal MPs will have one last chance to tell their leader how they think their party can improve their political prospects before they return to Ottawa to face off against Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the House of Commons.
Parents fight for change after 13-year-old girl dies in B.C. homeless camp
Brianna McDonald's death was caused by a suspected overdose, according to her family. And her grieving parents are urging change so other families don’t have to face what they are going though.
PwC plans to track employees' location while at work. Is this practice legal in Canada?
As PricewaterhouseCoopers plans to enforce its back-to-office policy by tracking employees in the U.K., one employment lawyer explains whether the practice is legal in Canada.