Ontario unveils new strategy toward critical materials
The provincial government is putting forward new thinking to the importance of critical minerals in Ontario.
It has released a new strategy that builds on one released in 2022.
That documented focused a lot of attention on the electric vehicle market and the need for clean technologies.
Mines Minister Stephen Lecce says much has changed since then, and the new document recognizes that.
“I think our strategy is about broadening our economic focus to include sectors like defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing that are highly consequential both to our sovereignty, to our economy and to our workforce.”
Lecce says the province will continue to support the EV supply chain.
He says Ontario has already captured tens of billions of dollars of foreign investment.
“That’s a great success story. What we’re announcing today, and I think what we’re signalling to the world, is we’re broadening our focus.”
The new strategy also includes two minerals being added to the list of those considered critical.
Lecce says the inclusion of high-purity iron and aluminum is important to several sectors.
“High purity iron is essential when it comes to building out military and defence applications, as well as helping us electrify the electric arc furnaces we’re building in northern Ontario,” says Lecce.
“Aluminum underpins Ontario’s world-class automotive, our aerospace, and defence sectors.”
The government is inviting feedback on the document to ensure it responds to a rapidly changing world, while bolstering Canadian self-reliance, jobs and supply chains.
The Ontario Mining Association welcomes the updated strategy.
“As this work advances, sustained and meaningful engagement with industry, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders will be essential, alongside policies that firmly position mining as a strategic priority,” Priya Tandon, the Association’s president.
“Taking continued action and a whole-of-government approach to advance the mining sector will strengthen Ontario’s prosperity, security, and innovation leadership for the benefit of all Ontarians.”
There are currently 37 active mining operations in Ontario, with the majority located in northern Ontario.
Nine are base metal (nickel, copper, zinc) mines.
