The federal government is set to inject $25 million in the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project SA国际影视传媒� with the goal of powering the NWT's burgeoning critical minerals sector. 

The new funding, which will be drawn from Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF), was announced in a Nov. 14 news release from Natural Resources Canada.

"The Taltson Hydro Expansion Project will be a key piece of infrastructure of the Northwest Territories," said NWT Infrastructure Minister Caroline Wawzonek. "Today's announcement enables us to advance next steps to conclude the legacies of the original Taltson project and regulatory processes for the expansion. We thank Canada for their contribution to supporting strategic infrastructure investments to improve quality of life for NWT residents and prepare the territory for investment and growth."

The existing Taltson generating station, a hydroelectric plant, is situated a little over 60 kilometres north of Fort Smith. Plans to expand the plant have been in discussion for upward of 25 years, previously with the intent of powering the territory's diamond mines. While the diamond mines are all nearing the ends of their lifespans, the federal and territorial government now view the expansion of the plant as a means of powering new critical mineral projects.

With the new investment from the federal government, which is still "pending final due diligence," according to the Nov. 14 release, the GNWT aims to "complete pre-construction milestones for the Taltson Hydro Expansion Project to build a new 60-megawatt generation facility near the existing Taltson Hydro Facility south of Great Slave Lake."

A 230-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Taltson grid with the Snare hydro system grid north of Great Slave Lake will also be created. 

The project will be undertaken in partnership with Indigenous governments such as the Northwest Territory Metis Nation (NWTMN), the Salt River First Nation, and the Akaitcho Dene First Nations, which includes the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈 Dene First Nation, and Deninu KSA国际影视传媒檜e First Nation.

"The NWTMN is pleased to see Canada supporting our important project," said Garry Bailey, the organization's president. "This funding is essential and will allow us to move forward on this opportunity which can provide benefits today and for our future generations."

Deninu Kue First Nation Chief Louis Balsillie added that the funding "will assist in providing financial support ensuring that Indigenous partners are consulted and participate at each step of this project.SA国际影视传媒�