New HudBay mines expected to create hundreds of jobs (Winnipeg Free Press – September 16, 2014)

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The opening of two new mines by Hudbay Minerals in northern Manitoba is expected to create more than 370 permanent jobs, the province says. Tuesday marked the official opening of both the Lalor and Reed mines.

Hudbay’s Lalor mine, located 13 kilometres west of Snow Lake, contains gold, zinc, copper and silver. Mineral Resources Minister Dave Chomiak said it is quickly evolving into one of the most significant base-metal discoveries in a generation in Manitoba. Total mine construction budget is $441 million.

The Reed copper mine, located in Grass River Provincial Park, 45 kilometres west-southwest of Snow Lake, is a joint venture of Hudbay and VMS Ventures Inc. Copper reserves associated with the project have an estimated value of $800 million, Chomiak said.

In 2013, capital expenditures on mining and petroleum development in Manitoba totalled an estimated $1.4 billion and the industries accounted for approximately seven per cent of provincial GDP and 8.7 per cent of total exports.

Chomiak credited the effectiveness of Manitoba’s mineral regulatory process for getting the mines on stream quickly. The process from discovery to production took less than seven years.

“Manitoba has been recognized nationally and globally as one of the best places in Canada for exploration and mining,” he said. “Our government has worked hard to create a supportive environment for the mining industry.”

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