Extremely rare’ First Nation-owned mine in Manitoba may be more viable than Ontario’s Ring of Fire: expert – CBC

Nov 20, 2025

100% First Nations ownership would be ‘unicorn event’ in mining sector, business association president says

A northern Manitoba mining project fully owned by a First Nation could turn Manitoba into the “centre for clean magnesium in North America,” but proponents say it needs help to reach production.

Norway House Cree Nation took full ownership of the former Minago nickel project, in the northern Manitoba’s Thompson nickel belt, in November 2024.

Jim Rondeau, a former Manitoba NDP cabinet minister who is now the major projects director for Norway House, says the project has been rebranded as a critical minerals project, after the discovery of magnesium and other platinum-group metals, such as rhodium, platinum and palladium.