The Ontario government is modernizing the Mining Act to attract more investment and secure the critical minerals that support the made-in-Ontario supply chain for new technologies like batteries and electric vehicles.
It shouldn’t take 15 years to open a mine. The process is too time consuming and costly, leading to project delays and lost opportunities for Ontario’s mineral exploration and mining sector.
At a time when Ontario is securing game-changing investments in its growing automotive sector, these changes would benefit the entire minerals sector and advance Ontario’s plan to build an integrated supply chain by connecting mineral producers in the north, including those in the Ring of Fire, with the manufacturing sector in the south.
We know the world wants Ontario’s critical minerals and we are the first government to pave the way for this exciting sector by investing in exploration and innovation through our Critical Minerals Strategy and cutting unnecessary red tape so companies can build more mines.
The modifications to the Mining Act would increase certainty for business planning and generate investment in Northern Ontario to provide significant economic development opportunities for northern and Indigenous communities.
We are engaging with industry, Indigenous communities and Indigenous organizations on proposed changes to the Mining Act and consulting on all future regulatory changes.
There are no proposed changes to our world-class environmental protections – this is about improving how the Ministry of Mines operates and finding efficiencies. Modernizing the Mining Act is crucial to support our transition to a green economy.