Québec Natural Resources and Forests Minister Kateri Champagne Jourdain has selected Troilus Mining Corp's Troilus copper and gold project and Dumont Nickel's Dumont nickel/cobalt project among the first projects to benefit from the provincial government's specialised support service, Filon.

Filon was established by the Québec government to enhance government coordination and support the advancement of strategic mining projects through the provincial permitting process. The service, which forms part of Québec's 2025-2031 Strategy for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals, is designed to strengthen coordination among government ministries and agencies involved in the authorisation process for qualifying projects.

Through the Filon service, each project is assigned a dedicated expert to guide and direct companies through their administrative processes, identify bottlenecks and facilitate engagement with the relevant government ministries. 

"Troilus is a large-scale mining project that will unlock Québec's significant gold and copper resources. The project will help strengthen our economy, create lasting benefits for northern Québec and reinforce Québec's position as one of the world's leading mining jurisdictions," comments Jourdain.

Further, she describes the Dumont project as a strategic opportunity to make Québec "a leader in responsible nickel production".

"By developing one of the world's largest deposits, we are consolidating our role in critical minerals supply chains and creating lasting benefits for Abitibi-Témiscamingue and all of Quebec. With Filon, Dumont Nickel will benefit from specialised support from mining-sector experts as it advances to construction," she adds.

Located in Launay, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Dumont is said to be one of the world's largest undeveloped nickel sulphide deposits and one of Canada's most advanced critical minerals projects.

Dumont Nickel says it is advancing technical work, project financing and discussions with strategic industrial partners toward a final investment decision for the project.

"Being selected to participate in Filon confirms that Dumont has entered a decisive phase of its development. This government support strengthens partner confidence as we complete the final steps toward construction and production, while maintaining the highest environmental and social standards," comments Dumont Nickel COO François Vézina.

Dumont maintains its Impact and Benefit Agreement with the Abitibiwinni First Nation, originally signed in 2017, and continues ongoing consultations with the First Nation and local communities in Abitibi-Témiscamingue as the project advances.

"Dumont benefits from strong government support and is progressing in line with Quebec's critical minerals priorities," said Johnna Muinonen, president of Dumont Nickel. "This announcement reinforces the confidence of our investors and strategic partners as we work toward a final investment decision and the start of construction."

Troilus CEO Justin Reid says the company is honoured that the Québec government has selected the company's project to receive Filon support.

"As one of Québec's largest and most advanced copper/gold development projects, Troilus is well positioned to contribute to Québec's economic growth and long-term critical minerals strategy. We welcome initiatives that improve collaboration across government while maintaining a rigorous and transparent permitting process and we appreciate the government of Québec's continued commitment to advancing the responsible development of strategic mining projects in Québec.”

Troilus points out that, in addition to the Filon service, the government of Québec and the Canadian federal government have recently proposed a "One Project, One Review" agreement to harmonise provincial and federal environmental assessments, reducing duplication while maintaining rigorous environmental oversight.

"Together, these initiatives reflect a growing commitment by the governments of Québec and Canada to supporting the responsible development of strategic mineral projects," the company states.