Financial Support for Infrastructure Projects in Support of the Mining Sector

The Enveloppe nordique d’infrastructures en appui au secteur minier (ENIAM) aims to provide financial support for strategic infrastructure projects incorporating a multi-user perspective, in support of the mining sector and for the benefit of the Northern communities. Financial assistance can be either non-repayable or repayable.

The ENIAM applies to infrastructure projects to be carried out in the Québec’s Northern territory. Exceptionally, the project may take place outside the Northern territory if it benefits northern communities and businesses. However, mining projects served by this infrastructure must be located in the Northern territory. Two types of projects are eligible:

Infrastructure Planning and Design Studies

Eligible for non-repayable financial assistance are studies aimed at the planning and design of infrastructure:

• for land transportation that meets the needs of mining projects that are, at a minimum, at the mineral resource evaluation stage, as defined in the Application guide;
• for renewable energy transmission or telecommunications that cater to the needs of mining projects at the feasibility study stage, as defined in the Application guide.

Infrastructure Construction and Improvement Projects

The following are eligible:

• For non-repayable financial assistance:
  Projects aimed at improving or constructing land transportation infrastructure that meets the needs of mining projects during the mineral resource evaluation phase.
• For repayable financial assistance: 
  Projects focused on improving or constructing land transportation, renewable energy transmission, or telecommunications infrastructure that meet the needs of mining projects at the feasibility study stage.

The following are eligible clientele:

• A for-profit company legally incorporated under the laws of the Government of Québec or Canada. This company must be registered in Québec and must hold and provide proof of a valid attestation issued by Revenu Québec, called an "Attestation de Revenu Québec," when applying for the financial assistance;
• A Québec government department, agency, or Crown corporation;
• A community, organization, or municipality such as:

1. A band council of an Indigenous community, an Indigenous community, or a grouping of communities of nations recognized by the Assemblée nationale du Québec;
2. A Northern village corporation, a Northern village, or an Inuit landholding corporation;
3. A municipality, a regional county municipality, or a municipal organization;
4. The James Bay Regional Administration, the Kativik Regional Government, the Cree Nation Government and the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government;
5. An incorporated non-profit organization;
6. A cooperative or a mutual.

The projects must:

• Aim to build infrastructure that meets the needs of one or more mining projects;
• Focus on improving or constructing land transportation, renewable energy transmission, or telecommunications infrastructure to support mining activities and facilitate access to Northern territory or energy or telecommunications services;
• Comply with the cumulative public financial aid authorized  under the ENIAM;
• Meet the sustainable development criteria detailed in the Application guide.

Mining projects served by this infrastructure must:

• Be located in the Northern territory;
• Not aimed at the extraction of surface mineral resources;
• Have at least reached:

1. The mineral resource evaluation stage; 
   
   or
    
2. The feasibility study stage.

Companies developing mining projects must demonstrate that they:

• Maintain good relations with stakeholders in the Northern territory where they are developing their mining and infrastructure projects;
• Exercise control over the sites affected by the mining project by providing one of the following documents:

1. Certificate of registration of exclusive exploration rights;
2. Mining lease;
3. Mining concession;

• Own existing mining production facilities in the Northern territory by providing one of the following documents:

1. Mining lease;
2. Public land lease.

The following expenses related to the works are eligible:

• Needs assessments;
• Solution studies;
• Preliminary and final design studies;
• Preliminary and final plans and specifications;
• Project management;
• Realization of works;
• Quality control;
• Work supervision.

To be considered eligible for financial assistance from ENIAM, improvement or construction work must have been carried out after obtaining the authorizations or permits required under the laws and regulations in force in Québec.

The following expenses are not eligible:

• Expenses associated with any activity deemed irrelevant by the Société du Plan Nord;
• Expenses incurred before the project submission date;
• Expenses associated with infrastructure maintenance work;
• Expenses associated with the annual monitoring of infrastructure;
• Recurring expenses;
• Reimbursed expenses eligible for another form of reimbursement (e.g. tax refunds);
• Expenses related to the purchase of any motor vehicle eligible for registration;
• Expenses related to a project already completed;
• Expenses associated with the improvement or construction of any road located on a lot covered by a mining lease, unless justification is deemed acceptable by the Société du Plan Nord.

Infrastructure planning and design studies  

The financial assistance granted for planning and design studies is non-repayable. The mining project must be at least at the mineral resource evaluation stage for land infrastructure projects and at the feasibility study stage for renewable energy transmission or telecommunications studies.

It covers up to 50% of eligible expenses. Eligible studies can receive a minimum assistance of $100,000. The total amount of government assistance cannot exceed 100% of the study’s eligible costs.

Infrastructure improvement or construction projects

Improvement or construction projects may be supported by either non-repayable or repayable financial assistance, depending on the stage of the mining project.

Non-repayable assistance applies to land transportation infrastructure projects. The mining project in question must be at the mineral resource evaluation stage. The assistance covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000,000. Eligible projects can receive a minimum assistance of $100,000. The total amount of government assistance cannot exceed 80% of the project’s eligible costs.

Repayable assistance applies to land transportation, renewable energy transmission, or telecommunications infrastructure projects. The mining project in question must be at the feasibility study stage. The amount of assistance is determined based on the applicant’s needs and the nature of the project. The total amount of government assistance cannot exceed 100% of the project’s eligible costs.

To submit an application, start by checking out the Application guide (PDF 384 Kb). Next, you’ll need to complete the ENIAM financial assistance application form (PDF 736 Kb) and attach the required documents listed on the form.

Send your application package to the Société du Plan Nord by email to eniam@spn.gouv.qc.ca.

If your project is selected, it will be subject to a financial assistance agreement with the Société du Plan Nord. This agreement will outline the payment terms and conditions for the financial assistance, as well as the reporting and repayment requirements, if applicable.

You will be required to submit activity reports in accordance with the timelines specified in the financial assistance agreement. These reports should include:

• a detailed description of the project and the activities carried out using the financial assistance;
• the total cost of the project and each of the activities carried out;
• the sources of funding and the amounts obtained from each;
• an appendix with supporting documents for eligible expenses and a financial report detailing the project expenses.

Any questions regarding the ENIAM can be sent by email to the Société du Plan Nord at eniam@spn.gouv.qc.ca.