‘I want exploration dollars spent exploring’

Manitoba politicians are aiming to triple the province's mining production. Exploration companies and local prospectors warn that outdated staking methods could slow the process. Dave Peck, vice-president of exploration for Grid Metals Corp., expects the company will spend at least $200,000 re-staking land claims in southeastern Manitoba.

Staking requires physical posts that can be destroyed by wildfires, adding to the expense. Remote areas may necessitate helicopter or float plane transport for stake placement. The process can be time consuming and expensive, particularly for smaller companies with limited financial resources. Once a site is staked, exploration companies must record their mining claims with the provincial government.

This information appears online on a public mining map called iMaQs. However, the current staking system is seen by some as archaic and inefficient in the digital age. Grid Metals' Dave Peck argues that a digital staking system would benefit the industry. The Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association has been pushing for a switch to digital staking.

Some surveyed land in Manitoba can already be staked digitally. A digital system would alert communities of new land claims immediately, reducing alarm among locals. However, Patricia Fitzpatrick, a geography professor at the University of Winnipeg, warns that a digital system must be developed in collaboration with rights holders to avoid exacerbating existing issues related to Indigenous rights.

Mining Minister Jamie Moses is not committed to eliminating physical staking, citing the province's aggressive target to increase mining production. The Manitoba government has more than 6,000 mineral claims in good standing, but there's no mechanism to determine how many license holders are actively prospecting. A digital staking system should be strongly considered, with input from prospectors, according to the province's mining advisory council.