Message from the Ontario Minister of Mines, George Pirie

Growing up, mining was always a topic at the dinner table. And today, as Ontario’s Minister of Mines, not much has changed. Mining is still at the forefront of my daily conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. Leading the mining portfolio for the Ontario government is a job that i am very honoured to take on, as i know firsthand the importance of the mining industry to this province’s economic future.

Northern Ontario is home to some of the world’s most mineral-rich deposits and has some of the greatest precious metals and critical minerals exploration potential globally. in 2021, there were 18 gold mines, one primary platinum group metals mine, and nine base metal mines operating in Northern Ontario.

it is no secret that the disruption of global supply chains due to COViD-19 and the war in ukraine has threatened the security of natural resources such as critical minerals. As countries and companies around the globe race to secure critical mineral supply chains, Ontario is ready to take on the industry’s challenges. This province has what the world needs – the minerals, expertise, and talent to become the foundation of the growing supply chain for critical minerals and clean technology in North America and beyond.

Ontario has the critical minerals needed for a green and sustainable future. Our government understands the urgency to act. With major investments in electric vehicle battery component plants in Windsor and Kingston, mining is crucial to supply these facilities in Ontario with the necessary raw materials to produce clean technologies.

Our government is working to connect our province’s abundant critical minerals deposits in the north with our world-class manufacturing might in the south to build a made-in-Ontario supply chain for innovative technologies. We know that advancing the mining sector in Ontario starts with the 75,000 people in this province who work in the industry. That’s why, from the start of our mandate, we’ve supported mining and the companies at its foundation.

i was pleased to join Premier Ford in October 2022 at Vale’s official opening of its Copper Cliff Mine south expansion project in sudbury. Vale’s Copper Cliff Mine is a stellar operation that has an outstanding safety record, the recent investments also show their commitment to sustainability. This milestone is an example of how the best days are ahead for Ontario’s mining sector. Our government is focused on creating the right business conditions to attract investment, optimize competitive advantages, and enable this province’s mining industry to do what it does best.

in November, we launched the Critical Minerals innovation Fund (CMiF). Our government is investing $5 million to support research, development, and commercialization of technologies, processes, and solutions for critical minerals. Applicants can apply for up to $500,000 to cover 50 per cent of project costs. initiatives like this fund are part of the commitments made in Ontario’s Critical Minerals strategy to help companies tap into new and growing markets and secure our province’s position as a reliable global supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals. Ontario’s mining industry is rapidly evolving, and our government is supporting this transition by investing in research and development.

i am proud to say that this province is ready to meet the demand for responsibly sourced precious metals and critical minerals, and is well positioned to reap the benefits for all Ontarians. in my role as Minister of Mines, i will continue to work diligently to find ways to support the mining sector so we can deliver prosperity and growth in the north and throughout Ontario.