YELLOWKNIFE (January 28, 2013) - The world's premier technical mineral exploration conference with thousands of attendees from the mineral development sector provided an ideal backdrop to kick off the NWT Mineral Development Strategy.

Minister David Ramsay spoke to attendees today and shared a copy of the Discussion Paper that has been written to guide engagement on the NWT Mineral Development Strategy.

“Mineral development is the backbone of the NWT economy, and developing a long-term plan will guide decision-making for mineral development into the future,” said Minister Ramsay. “Once complete, a Mineral Development Strategy will support our efforts to expand the nature and scope of our resource development and provide a framework to ensure our mineral resources continue to be developed in a way that benefits NWT residents, ensures development is sustainable, and upholds our commitment to protect the environment.”

“We are very pleased to be partnering with the NWT Government in the development of the NWT Mineral Development Strategy,” said Cathie Bolstad, President of the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines. “While we have grown the industry to be the largest private sector employer in the North, it is important that we work together with our industry members and with northerners to find ways to sustain and grow our industry’s contributions.”

To facilitate the engagement and discussion of the NWT Mineral Development Strategy, a three-person Advisory Panel has been appointed to travel throughout the territory and to consult with other stakeholders around Canada, to gather feedback and provide recommendations on drafting the final Strategy. The panel is comprised of: Mr. Rod Brown, Yellowknife, NWT; Mr. Murray Duke, Kanata, Ontario; and Mr. Angus Robertson, Courtenay, British Columbia.

Residents and organizations are encouraged to review the Discussion Paper and email feedback and suggestions to mineraldevelopmentstrategy@gov.nt.ca.

The NWT Mineral Development Strategy is a partnership between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the NWT and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

The development of a Mineral Development Strategy for the NWT was identified by the 17th Legislative Assembly as a key element to supporting its priority: to Strengthen and Diversify the Northwest Territories Economy.

For more information, please contact

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-8696 

Backgrounder – Advisory Panel Biographies

Rod Brown

Mr. Brown was born and raised in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and has spent his entire working life as a leader in the mineral development service industry. As the founder of Discovery Mining Services, Mr. Brown brings to the table a vast knowledge and understanding of the role of junior and senior exploration companies, the relationship that exists between junior and senior exploration companies, and the need for both in the NWT.

Murray Duke

Mr. Duke worked with the Geological Survey of Canada for 18 years, and spent the majority of his career focusing on geological mapping, mineral resources, exploration technology, environmental geoscience and natural hazards – just to name a few areas. Since his retirement from the public service, Mr. Duke worked with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada on a major review of public policy rationale for public geoscience, as well as consulting projects for the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources, the NWT Geosciences Office, and Natural Resources Canada.

Angus Robertson

Mr. Robertson has an extensive background in the public service at both the federal and provincial/territorial level. In addition to his extensive background in resource development, Mr. Robertson also brings to the table experience in working in land claims negotiations but also in Devolution negotiations during his time with the Government of Yukon.