Welcome back to your weekly mining news recap, where we catch you up on some of the news you may have missed. This week’s headlines include Ontario introducing its “One Project, One Process” framework to cut mine approval timelines, MIRARCO opening a bioleaching and bioprocessing research facility in Sudbury, and Canadian miner G Mining Ventures moving ahead with its Oko West gold mine in Guyana. 

Iamgold will acquire Northern Superior Resources Inc. and Mines d’Or Orbec Inc. in separate stock-and-cash deals totalling more than $390 million, The Canadian Press reported. The acquisitions will consolidate Northern Superior’s Philibert, Chevrier and Croteau gold deposits with Iamgold’s existing Nelligan and Monster Lake gold projects. Through the Orbec acquisition, Iamgold will add the Muus gold project, located adjacent to the Nelligan and Monster Lake properties, to its portfolio. All together, these gold projects will form the Nelligan mining complex in the Chibougamau region of Quebec. The Nelligan mining complex is set to become one of Canada’s largest pre-production gold camps, according to Iamgold.  

The Ontario government is implementing a “One Project, One Process” framework to help fast-track advanced exploration and mine development projects in the province, CTV News reported. Under the new process, each mining project will be overseen by a mine authorization and permitting delivery team, with Ontario’s Ministry of Energy and Mines acting as a single point of contact to coordinate approvals within two years. This model aims to also provide a more coordinated, transparent and timely approach to project reviews with Indigenous communities.  

Vale has halted its planned $325-million nickel sulfate facility in Bécancour, Quebec, after General Motors (GM)—the project’s sole customer—announced it was scaling back its plans to build its Ultium CAM (cathode active materials) battery plant in Quebec, Bloomberg News reported. The Vale facility would have been North America’s first fully domestic nickel sulfate operation, supplying 25,000 tonnes of contained nickel annually to GM. GM had planned to use the nickel to build Ultium battery cathodes for its electric vehicles (EVs), but due to weaker EV demand and policy changes in the U.S., the automaker decided to roll back on those plans.  

Teck Resources reported stronger-than-expected third quarter results, driven by higher base metal prices, increased zinc sales from its Red Dog mine in Alaska, lower smelter charges and improved efficiency at its Trail Operations in British Columbia, Reuters reported. The results come as the miner saw its copper output fall as its operations at Quebrada Blanca mine in Chile continue to be constrained by ongoing work on its tailings facility.

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has opened public consultation on proposed amendments to Alamos Gold’s Lynn Lake gold project in northern Manitoba, Canadian Mining Journal reported. Alamos Gold is seeking approval to expand the mine development area, add a new satellite pit, increase ore production and extend the mine life. The IAAC’s draft review found these new changes would not cause any additional adverse effects beyond those identified in the project’s initial 2023 federal assessment. Comments on the draft analysis can be submitted through the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry until Nov. 15. 

The Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO) has opened a new piloting facility dedicated to advancing bioleaching and bioprocessing research in Sudbury, Ontario, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News reported. The facility aims to extract critical minerals from mine wastes while reducing environmental impact and supporting more sustainable mining practices. It is a step in a broader plan to establish the proposed Centre for Mine Waste Biotechnology. MIRARCO has also signed an MOU with Taighwenini Technical Services Corporation (TTSC), the economic development arm of Wahnapitae First Nation, to collaborate on joint commercialization of biomining and bioremediation technologies, youth training programs and industrial demonstration projects focused on reclaiming legacy mine tailings. 

Codelco and Ennomotive are inviting global companies to propose solutions to reduce airborne dust at Codelco’s Chuquicamata mine in Chile, Canadian Mining Journal reported. The solutions will have to focus on mitigating dust generated by the interaction between the underground mine and open-pit operations, which cause vibrations and slope movements that release particulate matter. Proposed technologies must operate autonomously with minimal human intervention, use limited water, withstand extreme weather and integrate with daily mining operations. The deadline for entries is Nov. 27. 

G Mining Ventures is moving forward with the construction of its US$973-million Oko West gold mine in Guyana, The Northern Miner reported. The decision follows the receipt of environmental permits and the completion of project financing earlier this month. Oko West's first gold is targeted for the second half of 2027. Along with the Tocantinzinho mine in Brazil—which began production in September 2024—G Mining expects these key assets will anchor its future gold output. The company also owns the Gurupi gold project in Brazil. 

The British Columbia government has announced plans to accelerate construction of a new electricity transmission line in the province’s northwest, The Tyee reported. The North Coast Transmission Line is planned to supply power to new mines, port expansions and liquefied natural gas facilities. The project will be built in three phases, with construction set to begin in 2026 and finish by 2034. 

According to ICMM, global mining fatalities among its member companies rose for a second consecutive year from 2023 to 2024, with experts citing failures in safety controls and gaps in workplace culture as key contributors, Rosalind Stefanac reported for CIM Magazine. While technologies such as fatigue monitoring, collision avoidance and autonomous equipment help improve safety, industry leaders highlighted that a strong safety culture and engaged leadership are essential to achieving zero fatalities. In Canada, initiatives such as the Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) database developed by the Health & Safety Society of CIM (HSS) aims to increase transparency, collaboration and share learnings to prevent serious injuries and deaths in mining. The HSS, in conjunction with CIM Magazine, will host a webinar on the SIF prevention initiative on Dec. 4. Registrations are open here.  

That’s all for this week. If you’ve got feedback, you can always reach us at editor@cim.org. If you’ve got something to add, why not join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram pages?