MPDA President Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk recently appeared on CJOB Radio to discuss Manitoba’s gold potential, exploration challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead for the Manitoba Exploration sector.
“We don’t have the right kind of geology for the Yukon,” Mihychuk explained. “Gold here can be extremely small, even molecular. Most of it isn’t visible—it’s very fine and often a byproduct.”
She noted that while regions like Flin Flon have produced gold as a byproduct, Snow Lake remains a promising area. “It’s a mass of gold deposits,” she said. “Hudbay is even reprocessing its tailings to recover small amounts of gold—and with today’s prices, that’s becoming more worthwhile.”
Mihychuk also spoke about the barriers to exploration in Manitoba, citing outdated regulations and a lack of trust between the province, industry, and Indigenous communities. “Manitoba is bogged down with red tape and non-competitive rules,” she said. “There needs to be trust built.”
She explained that exploration often starts with a geologist’s vision but is slowed by lengthy approval processes. “There are no timelines,” she said. “That uncertainty drives companies away.”
Despite the challenges, Mihychuk remains optimistic. Large areas in the Island Lake and Kiwetnoq Tribal Council regions hold “enormous potential,” she said, emphasizing that stronger relationships and modernized regulations are key to unlocking Manitoba’s future in mineral exploration.