Finding project funds is becoming a bigger and bigger issue in the resource space. But developers in the mining sector just got some good news on an innovative new source of capital.
That’s the Capital Mines Hydrocarbures fund. A C$1 billion purse being put forward by the government of one of the world’s top mining jurisdictions—the Canadian province of Quebec.
Quebec’s Economy Minister said last week that the fund is now close to being ready to launch. With C$200 million already put aside—and another C$800 million in follow-on funding being prepared. Related: Is Saudi Arabia Setting The World Up For Major Oil Price Spike?
The fund will reportedly invest directly in projects within the province. No details have been given yet on what sort of specs the government will be looking for.
Preliminary indications however, are that managers here will look to deploy larger investments into a few different vehicles. With the Minister saying that the fund has "many things in the pipeline" and may be able to support as many as ten projects.
Such direct investments from the government are obviously a novel strategy in the resource space. But in Quebec’s case, buying into resource projects may turn out to be a sound move. Related: The Inconvenient Truth About A Green Revolution
That’s because some of the most important development projects in the minerals space have come within the province the last few years.
The Eleonore gold mine, for example, was commissioned by Goldcorp last year—and represents one of the few projects to go from grassroots discovery all the way to functioning mine during the current resource cycle.
All of which has proven Quebec to be an attractive destination for exploration and development. A reality that will be further enhanced by financial support coming from the new fund. Related: Has The Bakken Peaked?
Add that to existing benefits in the province such as tax-friendly “super flow-through” rules for mining investors, and it appears that Quebec is a place all minerals developers should have on their radar screen.
Watch for specific investments deployed by the fund over the coming months to see if your project might qualify for this unique finance source.
Here’s to putting up the money,
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Dave Forest
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