Canada and the United States announced a joint investment to finance the construction of infrastructure necessary for the exploitation of the Mactung tungsten mine, located on the border between Yukon and the Northwest Territories.
The tungsten deposit, one of the largest in the world, is located on the traditional territory of the Kaska and Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nations.
The investment, which includes $12.9 million from Ottawa and $22.1 million from Washington, will primarily be used to the improvement of approximately 250 kilometers of road, the modernization of an electricity transmission line between Faro and Ross River and the construction of a transmission line between Ross River and the website of Macmillan Pass
we can read in a press release.
Canadian funding comes directly from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund and will be provided entirely to the mining company Fireweed Metals. The company bought the mine from the NWT government in 2022 after it bought the project in 2015 during the bankruptcy of what was then the Cantung mine.
Fireweed Metals now owns both the Mactung mine and the adjacent Macpass project, where it began mining exploration in 2017.
It’s on the border of Macpass, that’s what attracted us first
explains CEO Peter Hemstead. But the more we were interested in it, the more we understood the global dynamics around tungsten, and the more we wanted to acquire it.
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A US missile is launched during an exercise in Queensland, Australia. Tungsten is a very popular metal, particularly for the construction of missiles. (Archive photo)
Photo : Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alyssa Chuluda
Tungsten is particularly heavy, hard, and heat-resistant, making it a material of choice for a variety of ammunition. It is a resource coveted by the United States, especially since the country has tense diplomatic relations with China, the largest producer of tungsten.
The United States is dependent on tungsten sources elsewhere in the world. Having a reserve here in North America would reduce one of our biggest material risks
explains Laura Taylor-Kale, assistant secretary of defense for industrial policies for the US Department of Defense, which qualifies tungsten essential to national defense
.
Of the ethical issues
The Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation is morally opposed to weapons production
underlines the person responsible for implementing the governance of the First Nation, Adrienne Hill.
The link between mining and missile production raises several ethical questions regarding supporting industries that are linked to conflict and violence
she said.
She adds that Canada and the United States must align with the disarmament objectives set by the United Nations Disarmament Commission.
When the consultation process begins, the First Nation will ensure it works with Canada and the United States to collaborate and actively advocate for disarmament goals
she assures.
The mining project Fireweed has been submitted to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board.
An important project, according to Ranj Pillai
It’s not just important for the Yukon
says Ranj Pillai, the premier of Yukon. It is also on the border with the T.N.-O. It is extremely important for indigenous communities to be able to partner with the company on this project.
I think it’s incredibly important for North America, from a security and defense perspective
he points out, adding that there would be enough tungsten in the deposit to supply the American Department of Defense for the next 50 years.
According to information from Catherine Pilkington
