In a recent media release, the Province says that, as part of its plan to protect Ontario and build a stronger, more competitive and selfreliant economy, it is taking action to secure the critical minerals supply chain needed to power the economy of the future by backing 18 new projects to boost Canadian sovereignty and jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs
Following the release of Premier Ford’s ‘Fortress North America Strategy’ that prioritizes reliable, democratic supply chains over foreign adversaries, Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, was joined by George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, at the Canadian Mining Expo to announce that the Ontario government is investing nearly $8 million in 18 innovative projects through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF).
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.
This plan is expected to accelerate homegrown technologies, strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals.
“Premier Ford launched Fortress North America designed to strengthen the resilience of Ontario’s mineral sector as we work to strengthen democratic alliances as we face a common threat from China,” said Minister Lecce. “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. 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.”
This latest round of CMIF funding supports a wide range of projects including:
• $500,000 to Vale Canada Limited 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.
• $400,000 to Destiny Copper Inc. to scale up its patented low-energy process that transforms mining and industrial byproducts into high-purity copper powder, establishing Canada’s first continuous copper powder production plant and strengthening domestic supply for our EV and advanced manufacturing industries.
• $262,500 to Rock Tech Lithium to validate the use of crude tall oil, a pulp and paper
byproduct, as a low-cost, low-emission flotation reagent for lithium processing, creating
cleaner battery supply chains while opening new markets for Ontario’s forestry sector.
Since its launch in 2022, the CMIF has invested in 47 strategic projects that are transforming 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 CMIF is a key initiative in the government’s plan to update its Critical Minerals Strategy to position the province as a reliable global supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals and build fully integrated, made-in-Ontario supply chains.
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.
Ontario has invested a total of $25 million through the CMIF, supporting a total of 47
projects that advance domestic innovation in the critical minerals sector and 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.
This initiative supports Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy which seeks to secure the
province’s position as a reliable global supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals.
George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth says that Northern Ontario is well positioned to play a leading role in the economy of the future. “As global
demand for critical minerals continues to grow, our government, through initiatives like the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, is making strategic investments that will help unlock new opportunities across the region creating jobs, driving innovation and supporting long-term prosperity. Together with our broader efforts to develop infrastructure, grow key industries and support communities these investments are helping build a stronger, more competitive future for the North and all of Ontario.”
