Province announces $8M for critical minerals projects

Speaking at the Canadian Mining Expo in Timmins on Wednesday, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines announced the province is providing $8 million to support 18 projects aimed at building up the critical minerals supply chain. (File)

Speaking at the Canadian Mining Expo in Timmins on Wednesday, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines announced the province is providing $8 million to support 18 projects aimed at building up the critical minerals supply chain.

Stephen Lecce was joined by George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, to announce the funding from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund.

As part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a stronger, more competitive and self-reliant economy, the government is taking action to secure the critical minerals supply chain needed to power the economy of the future.

“This plan will accelerate homegrown technologies, strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals,” the province said in a news release June 10.

“These projects are expected to leverage $12.3 million in private-sector funding to accelerate the research, development and commercialization of made-in-Ontario technologies to help strengthen the province’s position as a global leader by ensuring critical minerals mined in Ontario are processed and refined in Ontario, by Ontario workers.”

Securing resources

“In order to secure the resources essential for advanced manufacturing, energy security and national defence, Ontario is stepping up with a plan to build mines faster and invest in made-in-Ontario innovation,” Lecce said in the release.

“We will bring further reform this year to build on our government’s accelerated permitting and the launch of the Critical Mineral Innovation Fund, securing Ontario’s position as Canada’s top destination for mining investment.”

Recipients include Vale Ltd., which is receiving $500,000 to develop ClearZone, Canada’s first in-field robotic arm system for underground mines, automating hazardous debris removal to enhance worker safety, reduce operational downtime and advance mine automation.

Since its launch in 2022, the critical minerals fund has spent $25 million to help fund 47 projects in Ontario’s mining and minerals sector, from extraction to processing and advanced manufacturing.

“By helping companies commercialize breakthrough technologies, the fund is a tangible action to position the province as a global mineral powerhouse,” the release said.

EV batteries, defence tech

“As the global demand for critical minerals needed to manufacture batteries, modern defence technologies and advanced manufacturing continues to grow, Ontario has the deposits, skilled workforce, expertise and business-friendly investment climate to secure the province’s place as the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.”

The government has also launched a $500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund to accelerate the development of domestic processing capacity.

Ontario’s mining sector is a significant economic driver, contributing approximately $14.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP annually and supporting around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs.

“Northern Ontario is blessed with the critical minerals, skilled workforce, and expertise needed to help power Canada’s future economy,” David, president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, said in the news release.

“Investments through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund help turn that potential into opportunity by supporting innovation, strengthening domestic supply chains, and creating good-paying jobs in our communities. FONOM welcomes this investment and the continued commitment to growing Ontario’s mining sector.”