Ontario is calling on the mining innovation sector to step up with some new ideas on how to stimulate more exploration for Ontario's critical minerals.
Mines Minister Stephen Lecce was in Sudbury July 23, where he announced more than $7 million through a new intake of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to help stimulate investment in mining exploration, mining development, production and processing of domestically sourced critical minerals, said a news release.
Lecce was on a tour of Sudbury mining venues when the entourage stopped at Science North, where the minister made the announcement.
It was there he outlined the funding program, which he said is all part of the larger Protect Ontario plan, which includes the economic potential of finding and developing critical minerals mines.
This is to build a more secure supply chain as Ontario seeks to build on the greener mining economy connected to the development of electric vehicles.
The plan would include such metals and minerals as nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group elements, barite, chromite, graphite and lithium.
"This funding supports the government’s work to unleash the economic potential of critical minerals, build more secure supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources of critical minerals in the face of economic uncertainty from U.S. tariffs,” Lecce told the audience.
“With global demand for critical minerals soaring — and new U.S. tariffs targeting Canada’s mining and manufacturing sectors — Ontario is taking action to accelerate growth and innovation in Ontario’s mining sector," said Lecce.
“Through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, we are putting Ontario first, building a made-in-Canada supply chain that attracts investment and creates good-paying jobs here at home," he added.
Lecce added it was only in recent days that U.S. President Donald Trump imposed yet another tariff, this time a 50 per cent tariff on copper due to take place on Aug. 1, although the U.S. has not defined what grade of copper would be impacted.
"And that's why we're here, back in Sudbury, into the heart of mining expertise and leadership in Canada, to double down on our commitment to get Canada's responsibly sourced resources out of the ground."
Lecce said Ontario "has to be intentional about speeding things up, working with communities and, obviously, embracing technology and innovation along the way."
With the new call for applications open from July 23 to Oct. 1, Lecce said the fund will accelerate the research, development and commercialization of made-in-Ontario technologies in Ontario’s mining sector by supporting projects in four priority areas:
- innovative techniques for deep exploration and mining;
- recovery of minerals;
- battery supply chain; and
- mining innovation.
The ministry said this newest investment builds on the $20 million already invested through the CMIF since its launch in November 2022, supporting more than 29 Ontario-based projects.
Also, as part of the 2025 Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario, the government announced an additional $5 million over two years in the CMIF to stimulate investment in the critical minerals supply chain and support the research, development and commercialization of innovative technologies, techniques and processes.
Lecce also thanked Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, also at the announcement, for what he said was playing a vital role in "really promoting Canadian minerals to the world."
Following the presentation at Science North, Lecce was joined by local mining leaders for a tour of Sudbury’s Dynamic Earth science centre, which included a tour of the underground mine workings there that are being expanded.
Len Gillis covers mining news as well as health care for Sudbury.com.
