Message from the Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, Greg Rickford

As we near the end of another year, it’s important to reflect on recent achievements and future opportunities in Ontario’s mining sector. 2021 has been challenging, but our government has remained committed to our mining industry’s success, launching many industry-supporting initiatives.

In July, we announced the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), a new cost-sharing initiative to assist junior mining companies with financing early exploration projects in Ontario. Within days, OJEP received an overwhelming response — an encouraging sign that companies are poised and eager to ramp up early exploration projects. Recently, we also launched our new, state-of-the-art OGSFocus tool, which allows exploration companies, mining companies, and prospectors to rapidly identify areas for exploration.

As more governments and industrial sectors worldwide recognize the economic importance of critical minerals, demand for reliably, sustainably, and responsibly sourced minerals will continue to grow. Governments and businesses across the world are accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies including renewable energy and electric vehicles that require specific minerals. For Ontario, this creates an opportunity.

This past March, our government announced Ontario’s first-ever Critical Minerals Strategy to generate investment and increase our province’s competitiveness in the global markets. Ontario is blessed with an abundance of critical minerals, along with a competitive business climate, worldclass talent, and a track record of innovation. By developing this strategy, we will strengthen Ontario’s position as one of North America’s premier jurisdictions for responsibly sourced minerals that support the transition to a cleaner global economy.

It is always an incredible moment when attending a groundbreaking ceremony at a site where a new mine will be built. This past summer, I attended a ceremony for Argonaut Gold’s Magino Mine Project in Dubreuilville, Ontario. More recently, I was pleased to put shovels in the ground for the construction of the Greenstone gold mine, joint-owned by Equinox Gold and Orion Mine Finance. In just over three years, our government has added seven mines to Ontario’s roster of mining success stories that will revitalize the entire regional economy. These two projects join the likes of Harte Gold’s Sugar Zone, Newmont’s Borden Mine, Evolution Mining’s Cochenour Mine, Pure Gold Mining’s Red Lake Operation (former Madsen mine), and IAMGOLD’s Cote Gold Project.

Governments don’t build mines – we pull policy levers that create a competitive environment for the private sector to thrive and build the mines of the future. That’s why we have been laser-focused on reducing red tape and regulatory burden for industry. We want to make it easier for mining companies, claimholders and stakeholders to navigate the mining sector. That’s why we passed the Better for People, Smarter for Business Act. As part of this legislation, we proposed several amendments to the Mining Act to increase business certainty and competitiveness, reduce red tape, and improve mining approval timelines. We’ve upheld our commitment to maintaining environmental protections and ensuring public health and safety throughout this process.

I am proud of our government’s work stimulating growth and opportunities in Ontario’s mining sector. I am confident that together, we will help ensure Ontario remains a top-tier destination for mining.