Sudbury’s Mining Industry Gets a Boost from Federal Government MPs Lapointe and Serré announce over $225,000 for NORCAT

SUDBURY – Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, and Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced an investment of $225,061 for NORCAT. The announcement was made on behalf of Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. The funding will be used to train workers on Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) used in mining operations.

With the federal government’s funding, NORCAT will use a variety of training methods including underground demonstrations, curriculum development and deployment, and hands-on experimental training to support greater adoption of zero-emission vehicles within the mining industry.

“Supporting organizations like NORCAT is important to both our mining companies and workers. This funding will help ensure that workers are well trained and well equipped with the skills needed to safely utilize  BEV equipment,” said MP Lapointe.

“Investing in training for Battery Electric Vehicles is a pivotal step for our mining sector. This funding not only enhances the skills of our workforce but also accelerates the transition to sustainable practices in our industry. By equipping workers with the knowledge to safely operate BEV technology, we are paving the way for a cleaner, greener future for Nickel Belt and beyond,” said Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages.

The funding is from the Federal Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative. ZEVAI supports projects that aim to increase public and industry knowledge about zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and to provide test driving and training opportunities for their use.

"We're incredibly excited about this new Underground BEV Education Initiative at NORCAT. This project is the result of extensive development and collaboration, aimed at creating a comprehensive training program that truly empowers the mining industry,” said Brandan Vance, MHK, B.PHE, Senior Consultant, NORCAT Advisory. “By developing and deploying a hands-on, experiential training module that includes real-world use of Battery Electric Vehicles in an operating underground mine, we're giving miners and companies the tools they need to confidently transition to zero-emission technology. This is a meaningful step toward improving the respiratory health of miners, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating a more sustainable mining industry for generations to come."