Taking Action to Build Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Province backing 18 new projects to boost Canadian sovereignty and jobs in the face of U.S. tariffs

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. 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).

This plan will accelerate homegrown technologies, strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals. 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.

“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 Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. "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.

Quick Facts

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.