The Conversation (0)
April 09, 2025
Condor Energy Limited (ASX: CND) (Condor or the Company) is pleased to announce the results of an independent prospective resource assessment conducted by international resource consultancy Netherland Sewell & Associates Inc. (NSAI) across five selected prospects in the Company’s Tumbes Basin Technical Evaluation Area LXXXVI (TEA or Block) offshore northern Peru.
Highlights
- New independent estimate confirms multibillion barrel prospective resource across five prospects in Tumbes TEA
- Total Best Estimate (2U) of 3 billion barrels of oil prospective resources1 (100% gross unrisked) across Bonito, Raya, Salmon, Caballa and Tiburon prospects
- The largest prospect, Bonito, has a Best Estimate (2U) of 1 billion barrels of oil prospective resource1 (100% gross unrisked)
- Majority of the resources are contained within Lower Miocene Zorritos Formation, a proven reservoir within the basin
- Resource potential determined by leading international petroleum consultancy Netherland Sewell and Associates (NSAI)
- World class multibillion barrel exploration potential builds on Condor’s substantial discovered gas field at Piedra Redonda (1 Tcf 2C)2
- Farmout process commenced with multiple parties in data room
- Shareholder briefing to be held Thursday 10 April, to detail resource estimate update
The NSAI evaluation confirms multibillion barrel potential, with a combined best estimate gross unrisked 2U prospective resource of 3 billion barrels of oil (2.4 billion barrels net to Condor) across the Bonito, Raya, Salmon, Caballa and Tiburon prospect areas (Table 1).
Figure 1 – Independent estimate of prospective resources across five prospects shown in purple, Raya, Salmon, Bonito, Caballa and Tiburon.
Table 1 – Statistically Aggregated Prospective Resource Estimates (Unrisked) at each of the 5 prospect areas Low (P90), Mid (P50), High (P10).
Prospective resources shown are aggregated by prospect area (Table 1). The geological chance of success (GCoS) has been assessed for the primary target reservoir within each prospect. Each prospect contains multiple stacked reservoir intervals, which may increase the effective chance of success due to multiple opportunities within a single structure.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Condor Energy, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
CND:AU
29 January
Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
22 January
A$3M Placement to Advance High-Impact Workplan for Peru
15 January
Piedra Redonda Gas Field Best Estimate Resource of 1 Tcf
01 May
Gilbert + Tobin: Australia's Mining Industry Must Adapt as Global Shifts Shape Market
2025 is far from over, but Australia’s mining sector is already facing one of its most complex landscapes yet.
In a report, Australian law firm Gilbert + Tobin discusses economic, political and technological changes in the sector following recent events such as the US tariffs, declining nickel and copper prices and miners’ ESG goals.
In the overview, the firm says Australia’s miners are being forced to rethink their strategies, with the prevailing theme being that the Land Down Under needs to start upping its game.
Tariffs reshaping Australian minerals trade
The current uncertainty around trade policy is causing inconsistencies in investment confidence globally.
Major miners such as BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP)are already flagging concerns, with CEO Mike Henry recently expressing worry about slower growth and the consequences of disrupted trade.
"Despite the limited direct impact of tariffs on BHP, the implication of slower economic growth and a fragmented trading environment could be more significant. China's ability to shift toward a consumption-led economy and for trade flows to adapt to the new environment will be key to sustaining the global outlook," he said.
Gilbert + Tobin states in its report that Australian lithium and rare earths companies are facing "significant" questions.
While the US Inflation Reduction Act had boosted demand prospects, the outlook is now less certain. At the same time, China is increasing its own output and may need to buy less from Australia.
The firm notes that companies may have to find new or additional trading partners for these reasons.
A potential bright spot for Australia is China's critical minerals export restrictions to the US. Australia has a chance to prove its capacity as a minerals supplier, especially for countries seeking alternatives to Chinese supply.
The report cites Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC,OTC Pink:LYSCF) and Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU,OTC Pink:ILKAF) as “well-positioned” companies, with the former recognised as the world's largest non-Chinese producer of separated rare earth materials, and the latter currently developing Australia's first fully integrated rare earths refinery.
“Despite these headwinds, Australia is benefiting from new strategic alliances,” Gilbert + Tobin wrote.
“The Australian Government’s partnerships with the EU and Japan on critical minerals are opening doors for investment and export growth. However, miners must carefully navigate regulatory challenges and shifting trade policies to secure long-term stability.”
Miners facing low metals prices
While the gold price remains high, other metals have sloped downward in 2025.
Copper prices have faced weakness this year, as have nickel prices, prompting asset pauses and shutdowns.
WIN Metals (ASX:WIN) pivoted from nickel to gold this year, and in 2024 BHP shut down its Nickel West operations in Western Australia following increased capital costs and uncertain price recovery.
Gilbert + Tobin recommends that Australia use its strong regulatory framework to maintain its position as a country worth investing in, saying miners should focus on production costs, leverage and hedging strategies.
Is ESG still important to Australian mining?
Looking at ESG, Gilbert + Tobin notes that it shifted away from being just a buzzword in 2020, becoming key to business as the country pushed nationwide ESG goals in a bid to decarbonise by 2050.
Major diversified miner Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO), for example, is aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and plans to invest US$5 billion to US$6 billion in decarbonisation projects.
For its part, BHP has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 24.1 percent since December 2022, and is progressing towards a 30 percent reduction by 2030. Fortescue (ASX:FMG,OTCQX:FSUMF) is targeting net-zero emissions by 2040, with initiatives like the development of a zero-emissions Infinity Train.
Other miners, such as AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU,JSE:ANG), have had a more complicated time with ESG.
In September 2024, Financial Times reported that the company was restructuring its portfolio to align with ESG goals, including plans to divest from coal assets, when a fire broke out at its Grosvenor mine in Queensland.
This event could reduce the valuation of its coal assets by up to $1 billion, highlighting the financial risks companies may encounter when ESG objectives intersect with operational challenges.
But what is the state of ESG in Australia's mining industry as global turmoil takes centre stage?
Gilbert + Tobin believes it still remains relevant, but could lose some traction.
“In our view, it is too early to call the end of ESG as a major driver of activity in the metals and mining sector. Carbon emissions remain a focal point, with mining companies under pressure to reduce their carbon footprints through renewable energy adoption and electrification of fleets," the report reads.
"However, we may begin to see a reduction in some initiatives on the edge of the ESG equation for miners, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, preservation and enhancement of biodiversity and responsible procurement, particularly if these become a focus of retaliatory trade action in the United States," it continues.
The firm believes if ESG progress stalls Australia could face major setbacks, and notes that the mining industry will likely need to boost spending and effort in order to maintain momentum.
Australia's next steps
For Gilbert + Tobin, Australia's mining companies will have to be more open than ever to change.
“One thing is clear: the mining companies that thrive will be those that balance profitability with sustainability, efficiency with responsibility and innovation with adaptability," it states in its report, adding that while the road ahead may be uncertain, opportunities remain vast, especially for those who are willing to evolve.
The Minerals Council of Australia makes its own recommendations in a recent statement on tariffs.
It breaks down its suggestions into three parts: strengthen global competitiveness, accelerate free trade deals and secure supply chain partnerships with like-minded economies.
“Australia has long been a reliable and trusted global supplier of minerals and critical materials, with our enduring trade and defence partnership with the United States forming the backbone of decades of economic and strategic collaboration,” the council notes. “These trade tariffs undermine this crucial alliance, destabilising supply chains and increasing costs to consumers. It is a race to the bottom.”
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
30 April
Can Trump Fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell? Inside the White House vs. Fed Showdown
US President Donald Trump has publicly assailed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in recent weeks, calling him “a major loser,” and declaring that his "termination cannot come fast enough."
Yet behind the fiery rhetoric lies a more complex question: Can the president fire the head of the Fed?
Trump-Powell feud heats up
Trump's frustration with Powell isn’t new.
Since appointing him in 2017 to replace Janet Yellen, the president has repeatedly criticized Powell for not lowering interest rates fast or far enough. The most recent barrage of attacks came after Powell signaled that the central bank will not rush into cutting rates despite easing inflation and rising political pressure.
“He’s keeping rates too high,” Trump complained during a White House event on April 23. “He historically has been late … he was recommended by a certain person I’m not particularly happy with.”
Trump’s comments followed a string of similar criticisms in prior weeks.
When the European Central Bank cut its key interest rate, Trump demanded that Powell follow suit, saying on social media that the Fed chair “is always TOO LATE AND WRONG.”
Powell, for his part, has maintained the Fed’s independence and downplayed the political noise, telling reporters this past January that he has had “no contact” with Trump. The Fed chair also reiterated that rate decisions will be made based on economic data — not politics.
Powell’s appointment and the Fed’s role
The Fed chair is selected by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Powell was first confirmed as Fed chair in February 2018 for a four year term, which ended in 2022; he was then reappointed to the position in May 2022. In addition to that, he is a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System until 2028 unless he resigns or is removed for cause.
The Fed plays a critical role in US economic stability. Its primary tools include setting interest rates, regulating banks and maintaining price stability and full employment.
Under Powell’s leadership, the Fed aggressively raised interest rates starting in 2022 to combat inflation, which had reached levels not seen in decades. Inflation began to subside by mid-2023 and stood at 2.4 percent as of March of this year. However, the Fed has kept rates at 4.25 to 4.5 percent, citing lingering risks.
Can Trump legally fire Powell?
The short answer: not easily, and possibly not at all.
Fed governors, including the chair of the central bank, are protected by statute.
According to the Federal Reserve Act, a board member can only be removed “for cause.” Courts have traditionally interpreted “cause” to mean serious misconduct or legal wrongdoing, not simply policy disagreements.
Trump and his advisers have reportedly explored whether they could dismiss Powell under this clause. However, the Wall Street Journal reported in an exclusive that senior White House officials, including Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, have warned the president that such a move would likely spark legal battles, spook markets and ultimately fail to deliver the interest rate cuts he desires.
Lutnick also reportedly told the president that efforts to fire the Fed chair likely would not lead to any practical change on interest rates due to board members aligning their policymaking approaches with Powell.
In an April 22 press conference, Trump appeared to walk back his earlier threats: “I have no intention of firing Powell. This is a perfect time to lower interest rates. If he doesn’t, is it the end? No. It’s not.”
The last major challenge to Fed independence occurred in the 1970s.
Oval Office recordings revealed at a later date that President Richard Nixon had pressured then-Fed Chair Arthur Burns to ease monetary policy ahead of the 1972 election. Burns acquiesced.
The result: short-term economic growth followed by years of painful inflation that ultimately required the draconian measures of Fed Chair Paul Volcker in the early 1980s to correct.
While the Fed’s independence isn’t ironclad in the Constitution, a broad bipartisan consensus has emerged over the past several decades to shield the institution from political interference.
Legal experts, including economist Tim Mahedy, argue that removing a Fed chair for policy decisions would set a dangerous precedent and invite a “systemic financial event.”
There’s also ongoing litigation that could influence the issue.
The Department of Justice is attempting to overturn a 90 year old legal precedent that protects independent agency officials like Powell from being dismissed without cause. While the effort isn't directly about the Fed, it has raised alarms among those who see it as a potential erosion of institutional safeguards.
What's at stake for the US economy?
Despite Trump’s desire for looser monetary policy, Powell has been backed by economists who argue that the Fed is right to proceed cautiously amid the current economic turmoil.
Interest rates remain well above the near-zero levels of the COVID-19 era, and while inflation has cooled, new risks — such as Trump’s escalating tariffs on Chinese imports — could stoke price pressures again.
Trump has imposed 145 percent tariffs on many Chinese goods, with exemptions for some electronics. He told reporters that tariffs will "come down substantially," but has not announced a timeline.
Meanwhile, major retailers like Walmart (NYSE:WMT) and Target (NYSE:TGT) warned during a White House meeting that tariffs could increase costs for consumers. Even Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk, now a senior adviser in the Trump administration, said in a recent earnings call that he will push the president to roll back tariffs.
Powell stands firm — for now
Powell has consistently affirmed that the Fed will base its decisions on data, not presidential pressure.
“The arrangement of central bank independence is very widely understood and supported in Washington, in Congress, where it really matters,” he said during a mid-April speech in Chicago.
Still, the president’s attacks have rattled some on Wall Street, not least because Trump has shown more willingness in this term to test legal and institutional limits. In contrast to Trump's first term, when Powell faced pressure, but never a formal removal threat, today's atmosphere has some investors nervously watching for signs of a deeper standoff.
For now, however, Powell’s job appears safe. Trump’s advisers appear to have convinced him — at least temporarily — that firing Powell would hurt more than help. While the battle over interest rates may continue, Powell looks set to remain at the helm of the US central bank until 2026 — whether the president likes it or not.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
30 April
Refurbishment of Toll Milling Plant on Track
Challenger Gold Limited (ASX: CEL) (“CEL” the “Company”) notes the ASX Release by Austral Gold Limited titled "Austral Gold Provides Update on Casposo Plant Refurbishment" today. The release provides an update on the refurbishment of the Casposo Processing Plant and reports that the refurbishment is on track for the start up of commercial operations in the second half of 2025.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Austral Gold announced that Casposo Plant refurbishment is advancing safely and efficiently across all core workstreams.
- Austral update aligns with second independent plant inspection commissioned by CEL.
- CEL's inspection was undertaken by the same process engineers that completed the Audit of the Casposo Plant and Restart Plan in December 2024.
- Key takeaways from the second inspection report commissioned by CEL are:
- Robust advancement across all key processing areas
- Progress in line with existing refurbishment schedule
- Solid-liquid separation capacity (previously identified as a key risk) appears adequate for the required 1000 TPD capacity
- Sufficient time remaining to complete all maintenance work to meet the commissioning target in Toll Milling Agreement during the second half of 2025.
The Austral update aligns with a second independent plant independent inspection report received by the Company during April 2025. This report was prepared by the leading process group that completed the independent Audit of the Casposo Plant in December 2024 (ASX Release dated 13 December 2024).
Background to Toll Milling
The Company has executed a binding Agreement with Casposo Argentina Mining Limited, the operator of the Casposo Plant located in San Juan Argentina. This Toll Milling Agreement secures processing of a minimum of 450,000t of near surface Hualilan mineralised material over 3 years (ASX Release dated 30 December 2024).
The Casposo Plant, located 170km from Hualilan via established roads, has historically produced over 323,000 ounces of gold and 13.2 million ounces of silver. During operations, the plant achieved average annual production of 40,000 ounces of gold and 1.6 million ounces of silver at recoveries of 90% for gold and 79% for silver. The plant has been on care and maintenance.
The primary objective of this Toll Milling strategy is to capitalise on the current high gold price (above US$3,300/oz) to generate early cash flow. This cashflow will be allocated towards the construction of the standalone Hualilan Gold project including a Flotation with Tails Leach (“FTL”) circuit, a potential Heap Leach (“HL”) pad at Hualilan, and open pit mining fleet.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Challenger Gold, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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30 April
First Assay Results from Rae Copper Project Returns High Grade Copper
Hole DAN25003 delivers a 58m @ 3.08% Copper intersection
White Cliff Minerals Limited (“WCN” or the “Company”) (ASX: WCN; OTCQB: WCMLF) is pleased to announce the first assay results from the reverse circulation drilling campaign at the Company’s 100% owned Rae Copper Project in Nunavut, Canada.
HIGHLIGHTS
- First assay received from maiden drilling campaign at Rae contains high grade copper mineralisation
- Highlights from DAN25003:
- 58mtrs @ 3.08% Cu and 13.3g/t Ag from 52m, and
- Intercept including a high-grade intersection of 18m @ 5.21% Cu and 22.33g/t Ag from 69m.
- Assay results from the remainder of drilling and field sampling at Danvers are expected over the coming weeks.
- Pre collar drilling at the Hulk sediment-hosted copper target is well underway, with three (3) holes predrilled down to a depth of ~180mtrs, setting up a quick restart for diamond drilling to commence.
“The commencement of the reporting of drilling assays marks an important inflection point for the Company. All the hard work to date, which includes desktop review of historical showings, field sampling and aerial geophysics has ultimately led us to these results, which pleasingly, we couldn’t have kicked off more strongly.
The first holes at Danvers were all about orienteering and exploration to identify the mineralisation, so therefore, having the first assay produce an intersection of just shy of 60 meters at more than 3% is an outstanding way to kick off the results and reporting. Complementing our remarkable rock chip assays at surface, this assay now provides down hole proof of high-grade copper mineralisation in the system. Whilst incredibly impressive, it is our belief that these results set the scene for what’s to come, because as we saw, based on the field observations - post the early holes, the team on site really dialled in to the geology.
Additionally, progressing pre collar drilling for the upcoming diamond drill campaign at the massive Hulk sedimentary target will provide a significant advantage for our return to Rae with the diamond drills. Predrilling is underway across the Hulk deposit, with holes being drilled to the limit of the RC drilling rig to depths of between 180 and 200 meters, only about 50mtrs above the target horizon for the massive sedimentary hosted copper targets. Utilising this head start, the diamond drills, will quickly and efficiently be into the target horizon”
Troy Whittaker - Managing Director
Figure 1 - White Cliffs Rae Copper Project.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from White Cliff Minerals, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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29 April
Mining the Vote: What Australia's Political Parties are Planning for Mining and Trade
Another Australian federal election is happening on Saturday (May 3), and the country's political parties are in the midst of sharing their plans and goals for various sectors, including the mining industry.
Below is a breakdown of statements and platforms from each party, underlining their positions on the back of recent trade tensions, US tariffs and global production issues.
What are Australia's political parties?
Like many countries, Australia has two major parties, as well as several smaller parties.
The two major parties are the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Liberal Party of Australia.
The ALP is the major left party and is currently in government.
The Liberal Party is the centre-right party in opposition. It is in a long-term coalition with the National Party of Australia. Neither party would be able to form a majority government without the coalition.
ABC describes the Nationals as representing "the interests of those living in regional and rural areas," with values that are similar to the Liberals but with more of a country focus.
The Greens are another notable party in Australia and are the result of an environmental movement in the 1980s. The group highlights environmental protection, social justice and increasing government support payments.
There's also One Nation, a right-wing populist political party launched in Queensland in 1997. Its focus is to protect Australian jobs, industry, agriculture, manufacturing, culture and natural heritage.
What do Australian politicians think about tariffs?
In terms of tariffs, the ALP and Liberal Party aren't fans of US President Donald Trump’s actions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, head of the ALP, has called Trump's 10 percent tariffs “unjustified” and “harmful,” proposing a five point plan to mitigate impacts. This plan includes zeroing in on anti-dumping measures, financial assistance to affected industries and the establishment of a critical minerals reserve.
In a recent article, Reuters quotes Albanese as calling the imposition of tariffs “not the act of a friend."
The Liberal Party has criticized the ALP’s approach to tariffs, arguing that the conditions laid out under the five year plan are insufficient. Shadow Treasurer and Liberal Party member Angus Taylor said that there is a need for more comprehensive policies to tackle inflation and boost productivity.
For their part, the Greens have urged the Australian government to walk away from its AUKUS pact with the US. According to ABC, party leader Adam Bandt described the imposition of steel and aluminium tariffs as a "wake-up call" for Australia to rethink its relationship with a country that has been a key ally.
Pauline Hanson of One Nation has also commented on the tariffs, advocating for their use along with export quotas and other measures to protect Australian industries.
Commitments to Australia's mining sector
In terms of domestic production and keeping resources intact, the Australian government has already delivered support to increase green metals production through the Future Made in Australia Fund.
Professional leading services firm WSP said the country's 2025/2026 federal budget was a "pre-election pitch," noting that it puts the energy, mining and metals sectors "in the winner's circle."
The Future Made in Australia Fund has been allocated AU$1.5 billion, with AU$700 million dedicated to green metals. The green metals sector has also seen AU$2 billion in support from the Green Aluminium Production Credit, which is geared at supporting the Australian aluminium smelter’s transition to renewable energy.
Another AU$1 billion was given to accelerate the development of a new green iron industry.
“This year’s budget supports a fantastic opportunity for Australian industry to process more of our natural resources domestically — while doing so sustainably with renewable energy,” Paul Williams, WSP's managing director of mining and metals, said about the allocation.
The ALP has also underlined the value of national sovereignty over critical infrastructure. In a Guardian article, the party is quoted as expressing its intentions to reclaim the Port of Darwin from Chinese control.
The port is said to be Australia's nearest port to Asia and the nation's “northern gateway” for Australasian trade.
Issues with its ownership stem from when the Northern Territory's government granted a 99 year lease in 2015, making Chinese company Landbridge Group the owner.
Concerns over Landbridge's financial health have sparked talks on the port’s ownership in recent months. Darwin has also become an important subject in the election campaign, as both parties are keen on the reclamation.
Liberal leader Dutton was also quoted by Lloyd’s List as saying that the coalition between the Liberals and Nationals would “move immediately” to bring Darwin back into Australian hands during a visit to the port on April 5.
Who will win the Australian election?
Roy Morgan Research said on Monday (April 28) that the ALP is leading in the polls at 53 percent, as per the latest survey. Meanwhile, the opposition partnership between the Liberals and Nationals is at 47 percent.
"This result represents a swing to the ALP of around 1% since the 2022 Federal Election and if the swing is consistent across the nation would result in a slightly increased majority in the House of Representatives if repeated on Saturday," said Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine, adding that a final pre-election poll is still to come.
Roy Morgan said the survey comprised a representative cross section of 1,524 Australian voters from April 21 to 27, 2025. Of all participants surveyed, only 6 percent couldn't say who they would vote for.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
29 April
What Does a Liberal Win Mean for Canada's Mining Sector?
The Liberal Party of Canada has emerged as the federal election winner under Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Carney, who ran the Bank of Canada from 2007 to 2013 and the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020, won the Liberal Party leadership race in March, following the resignation of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on January 6.
In what turned out to be a tight race, his party claimed a narrow victory over the Conservative Party of Canada, led by Pierre Poilievre, winning 168 seats to the Conservatives’ 144.
The win comes against a backdrop of strong rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who since the start of the year has vowed to impose broad tariffs against Canadian goods, many of which are derived from the natural resource sector.
The mining sector is a major contributor to Canada’s economy. In 2022, the industry represented nearly 20 percent of Canada’s gross domestic product and C$422 billion in exports.
Although the mining market has been overshadowed by key issues of taxation, immigration and Trump, Canada’s natural resource development played an important role in the platforms of the two main parties.
Here’s how they stack up.
The Liberal Party plan
After a decade in charge, the Liberal party seemed to be facing an uphill battle at the start of the year, but a change in leadership brought about a reversal and has made the party more competitive in the polls.
Often regarded as an anti-oil party, the Liberal government has overseen an expansion of the resource sector in Canada, which has seen significant investment with the purchase and expansion of the Trans-Mountain pipeline.
In the run-up to the election, the party made grand promises to protect the environment, drive innovation and build the economy on the back of a strong natural resource sector. How does the Liberal Party plan to achieve this?
A focus on critical minerals
A main focus in the Liberal party platform has been on developing critical mineral projects.
This includes a “rock to road” approach, including the creation of a first and last mile fund that will provide up to C$750 million in funding by 2029 for onsite development, processing, and refining capacity. The fund will also invest in exploration activities, mineral recovery from mining waste, and end-of-life products like batteries.
It comes in addition to the party proposing a broader strategy for the critical mineral exploration tax credit that would include minerals necessary for defence, semiconductors, and energy production.
In its current format, the program provides investors with a 30 percent tax credit for critical mineral exploration projects. It was meant to stimulate funding for early-stage exploration projects that seek to find 15 minerals, such as rare earth elements, copper, cobalt, nickel, and titanium.
The platform did not include which new minerals would be added to the list.
In addition to supporting the discovery of new resources, the platform also includes a change to the clean technology investment tax credit, which would provide a break for investments in brownfield critical mineral projects.
Other initiatives include supporting the Canadian steel, aluminum, and forestry industries through a Canadian-standard approach to federal infrastructure and defence procurements and also stimulating downstream industries.
Streamlining permitting and trade
A major factor for resource companies before the election was the development times for new projects in Canada that could extend more than 10 years.
Permitting played a significant role in those timelines, and while the Canadian government has worked to get decisions down to five years, it hasn’t really moved the needle much.
The Liberal Party platform works to address this by creating a “one window” process that moves the review’s focus from the why to the how. The new system would require decisions to be made within a two-year timeline, including projects that fall under multiple laws or departments.
This would speed up the development of a breadth of resource projects from mining to oil and gas.
In addition to permitting, the party has also proposed economic corridors that would host diverse infrastructure projects, including energy, railways and highways. One key area would see Canada’s north being opened by a link from Yellowknife to the port at Grays Bay in Nunavut.
The Liberal platform has also proposed creating its own carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). It will function similarly to what is in place in Europe and will tax higher carbon imports at a higher rate than domestic producers who have invested in lower carbon technologies.
A Canadian CBAM would also work to meet European standards and allow for more streamlined trade.
The Conservative Party plan
Conservatives have long been viewed as a pro-resource sector party. Their history has seen significant support for oil and gas companies through tax credits and loosening environmental regulations.
However, these initiatives were under the then-leader Stephen Harper more than a decade ago. They came before the start of the energy transition and a broader focus on the environment.
Could a Conservative Party of Canada policy found the balance between Canada’s environmental commitments and improving development within the resource sector?
A shift in legal frameworks
Among the first acts under a Conservative-led government would have seen them repealing two pieces of legislation introduced by the Liberals under Justin Trudeau.
The first, C-48, also known as the Tanker Moratorium Act, would once again allow tankers carrying greater than 12,500 metric tons of oil product to access ports along the North Coast of British Columbia.
The original act, passed in 2019, restricted the size of vessels carrying heavy crude products between the BC border with Alaska and the northernmost point of Vancouver Island. It still allows for transporting refined petroleum products and liquified natural gas and doesn’t limit the transport of any products along BC’s south coast.
Conservatives have opposed the bill since it was introduced, saying that it stymied the development of Canadian pipelines and limited Alberta oil's access to Asian markets.
The other legislation being targeted under the Conservative plan was Bill C-69, which the Conservative Party colloquially referred to as the “No more development law.”
The law, passed in 2019, was designed to provide more consultation and federal review of major energy projects, and consider impacts on the environment, health, the economy and indigenous rights.
Opposition suggests that the law limits the construction of projects in the national interest, specifically pipelines to the East Coast.
The Conservative plan would also have eliminated or reduced taxes on the Canadian resource sector, including the industrial carbon tax and the federal fuel and electricity taxes. The party claimed the cuts should be made to be more competitive with the US. However, the plan never addressed trade with other regions, particularly Europe, which requires some form of carbon tax on imported minerals and resources.
How would Conservatives have supported the resource sector?
As part of its platform, the Conservative Party vowed to “unleash Canadian energy and resources.”
In addition to promising to repeal laws focused on the oil and gas sector, the party also promised to create a national energy corridor. Along the corridor, key infrastructure projects like pipelines, railways, and transmission lines would have received fast-tracked approvals, allowing for more rapid development.
The idea would have created more pipeline and resource infrastructure across Canada. However, the platform never discussed how it would work with Quebec, which has remained firm about not allowing pipelines.
The Conservatives also vowed to cut red tape by creating a “one and done” approval process. The streamlined approach to regulatory approvals would have created a single application that included environmental reviews. The plan also proposed that the federal government partner with the provinces to deliver decisions within a maximum of one year.
Regarding direct funding initiatives, the party lacked details. The only infrastructure spending involved an investment to construct a roadway for Ontario’s Ring of Fire region. The platform suggested this would entail C$600 million in spending between 2026 and 2029 and would have provided access to the region for critical mineral mining.
To stimulate funding in the Canadian economy, the party instead proposed a C$5,000 increase to TFSA contributions destined for Canadian companies.
Other promises included opening Arctic ports for oil exports and expanding the port at Churchill to extend the shipping season through Hudson’s Bay. The bill would also have created a First Nations resource charge, allowing companies to cede a portion of federal taxes to indigenous communities.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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