‘Building More Mines Act’

Canada. So I think the fruits of our labour in the critical minerals area are being seen. On top of that, I believe that capital is mobile. Capital will be attracted into jurisdictions where mining is supported.”

Bill 71, or the ‘Building More Mines Act’, which is an amendment to the province’s mining act, aims to stimulate and expediate the overall time it takes to get shovels in the ground. “It can’t take 15, or 17 years to permit a mine,” said Pirie.

“The example I often use is Kidd Creek Mine. It was 3 years from the point of discovery to production, as opposed to something like Côté Lake that took 17 years. That’s just totally unacceptable.”

He said the amendment aims for the ministry to become more ‘flexible’ and ‘accountable’ and doesn’t reduce or invalidate any current environmental standards or responsibilities, which he feels are some of the strictest anywhere in the world.

“The Building More Mines Act is basically making this more efficient and effective within the ministry itself. It does not change any of Ontario’s environmental standards.”

The Act introduces amendments to the Ontario Mining Act and it is hoped to lessen fees of applications and allow easier access to permits for recovering minerals from mine tailings as well.

In the latest budget introduced by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, another $6 million was announced for the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) bringing the total to $35 million in total investments since Premier Doug Ford took office. The program assists junior mining companies finance early exploration projects.

He also points to the $5 million dollar Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, which was announced in late November, as another way the province is doing its part to boost development and encourage new technology.

The province is aiming to see more rare earth mineral projects, such as VR Resources project near Otter Rapids, develop so that Ontario can become a major player in a secure and responsible supply chain of the growing electric vehicle sector, which Pirie calls a ‘revolution.’

He said Ontario has a good working relationship with the federal partners, and had hoped to see the feds match the roughly $1 billion the province is putting in towards Ring of Fire development. However, it was not mentioned once.

Still, he is optimistic and excited for the near future.

“25 percent of all exploration expenditures in Canada are happening in Ontario. That’s a huge win for us,” said Pirie.

“With the capital attracted, you create jobs, and you create jobs not only in Southern Ontario, you create jobs all over Ontario, including the Indigenous communities. Its a win-win-win, and I think we’re just getting started.”