Manitoba program funds 36 projects

Manitoba’s Mineral Exploration Assistance Program (MEAP) has approved 36 programs for funding, and will provide the projects with $2.7 million.

The program, which underwrites up to 35% of qualifying mineral exploration expenditures, is meant to encourage exploration in the province. The 36 projects represent exploration budgets of $11.9 million. Last year, mining companies and prospecting syndicates spent about $40 million in the province.

Mines Minister Darren Praznik says mining is Manitoba’s second-largest resource industry and directly employs 4,600 people.

The program is funding 16 projects in the Flin Flon and Snow Lake base-metal districts, seven in the Thompson nickel camp, and four in the area around Lynn Lake. Nine projects are under way in the Superior tectonic province.