The Government of Canada says it is investing in climate adaptation and resilience, while supplying the minerals and metals needed for clean technologies throughout the world, through the funding of a climate change adaptation project for the mining sector.

Paul Lefebvre, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, Amarjeet Sohi, on Friday announced an investment of more than C$325,000 ($238,000) in the Mining Association of Canada’s (MAC) project.

The investment was announced as part of National Mining Week (May 13 to 19, 2019), reiterating the importance of the mining sector to Canada’s clean growth future, the government said.

Lefebvre said: “By investing in sustainable mining projects like this one by the Mining Association of Canada, our government is helping ensure that our natural resources, including minerals and metals, play an important role in supplying the building blocks for clean technologies across the world. By helping our mining sector to adapt to a changing climate, we are proving once more that the environment and the economy go hand in hand.”

“Funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Program, this project will enable MAC to work with industry and other experts to develop best practices and guidance for the mining sector on climate change risks and adaptation measures,” it said.

The project – Climate Change Risk and Adaptation Best Practices for the Mining Sector – will give mine operators the tools and knowledge needed to better plan for climate change in decision-making at all stages of mine life, according to the government. As a result, mining operations will be more resilient to a changing climate and extreme weather events.

With a total value of C$650,000, the project received additional support from MAC, Golder Associates and Lorax Environmental Services.

Pierre Gratton, President and Chief Executive Officer, MAC (pictured), said: “The outcome of this project will be the first of its kind – best practice guidance for our industry to both assess potential future climate changes at mine sites and assess potential impacts of those changes on mine operations and infrastructure.”

This investment builds on other Government of Canada initiatives, namely the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan, which was developed in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, industry and civil society. The plan is based on a number of strategic directions for the future of the sector, one of which is the environment, and includes a vision for the continual reduction of mining’s environmental footprint and systematic climate change adaptation planning, the government said.

The Mining Association of Canada is the national voice of the Canadian mining industry, according to the government. “Working alongside its members, MAC promotes the industry nationally and internationally, works with governments on policies affecting the sector and educates the public on the value mining brings to the economy and the daily life of Canadians.”

From May 27–29, 2019, Canada will welcome over 25 countries to this year’s Clean Energy Ministerial and Mission Innovation Ministerial to discuss a future that is “cleaner, brighter and more prosperous for generations to come”, the government said.