03:21 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nA large area of northern Canada is to be opened up to mining, energy and forestry projects.<\/p>\n
The government of Quebec has unveiled a massive plan to develop a largely inhospitable but untouched area in the north of the province.<\/p>\n
The “Plan Nord” aims to turn 1.2 million sq km of land into a major area of mining and renewable energy.<\/p>\n
The plan also aims to ensure that half of the area will be environmentally protected.<\/p>\n
“It is one of the world’s last virgin territories,” said Quebec’s Premier Jean Charest.<\/p>\n
“It’s also a fragile territory and a territory of great richness and it’s also a responsibility.”<\/p>\n
Huge potential<\/span><\/p>\nThe area is rich in deposits of nickel, cobalt, platinum, zinc, iron ore and rare earth minerals.<\/p>\n
“Northern Quebec has incomparable mining potential,” said natural resources minister Sege Simard.<\/p>\n
The plan includes 11 new mining projects, the development of renewable energy resources (mainly hydro-electric projects), sustainable forestry and a huge infrastructure programme.<\/p>\n
This part of Canada is so remote that new roads, airports, and even a deep sea port will have to built to get the raw materials out to sell them to the outside world.<\/p>\n
The government of Quebec said that everyone in the province would benefit.<\/p>\n
“(Plan Nord) will create or consolidate 20,000 jobs a year, on average, and generate C$14bn (\u00a38.86bn; $14.5bn) in revenue for the government and Quebec society,” said Mr Charest.<\/p>\n
With global appetite for raw materials growing, mining companies are likely to keen to invest in the region.<\/p>\n
Arcelor Mittal, Xstrata, Tata Steel and Barrick Gold are just some of the companies who are already active there.<\/p>\n
According to the plan, mining regulations will be amended to ensure the government obtains what it calls a “fair return” from the development of natural resources.<\/p>\n
Sceptical<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, the plan will be scrutinised by environmental groups and indigenous people.<\/p>\n
The government says that Plan Nord will mean better jobs, housing and education for the local Inuit people who often live in poor, remote communities.<\/p>\n
But CBC reporter Tim de Boyce told the BBC: “All of them are sceptical. They point to past agreements where certain things were promised and feel that they were short-changed by the government in the south.”<\/p>\n
Announcing the plan, Mr Charest said it was hoped that the project would be “one of the most environmentally sustainable projects for the world”.<\/p>\n
The goal has been welcomed by environmental groups.<\/p>\n
“There are no models for this type of conservation planning on such a grand scale,” said Matthew Jacobson of the Pew Environmental Group, but he commended Quebec for not undermining the environment with plans for excessive economic growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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