Ontario – home to some of the most mineral-rich deposits in the world – boasts a competitive business climate, world-class talent and a track record of innovation. As high-growth sectors and the push towards a green economy drive demand for critical minerals, Ontario is uniquely positioned to become a global supplier of choice.
Whether your company is involved in exploration, financing, or the mining supply and services sector, you’ll discover limitless opportunities in Ontario.
Ontario invests in its innovators. Through funding programs, the Ontario government helps accelerate the successful commercialization of products and services with mining service and supply companies that ultimately improves production and worker safety in operating mines. This collaboration helps to keep Ontario’s mining sector on the leading edge and a recognized global mining leader.
Shannon KataryDirector of Marketing and CommunicationsMaestro Digital Mine
Ontario is one of the top mineral producers in Canada and is among the top 10 jurisdictions in the world for mineral exploration spending.
As more countries transition to green economies and governments accelerate the adoption of new technologies and renewable energy, the demand for reliable, sustainable and ethical sources of critical minerals will grow. Ontario’s mining industry produces and processes mineral resources that are the building blocks of everything from computer drives, renewable energy technologies, electric vehicle batteries, medical devices, nanotechnology and much more.
Ontario has established itself as a jurisdiction that promotes social and environmental responsibility, making it attractive for mining companies and investors with a commitment to favourable Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.
Ontario has a long and storied geological past that has shaped the way it appears today. Ontario’s geology provides immense opportunities for explorers to make exciting new mineral discoveries. This is reflected in the wide range of mineral deposits that have been and continue to be significant contributors to the provincial economy.
Ontario is a world-class producer of nickel, gold, copper, zinc and platinum group elements. There are 35 active mining operations in Ontario, most of which are located in Northern Ontario.
Of the 35 active mines:
If you are looking for the right people, Ontario offers a deep talent pool for sourcing mining, energy and infrastructure industry personnel, including managerial and technical staff. You will find one of the best mining education clusters in the world to support your company’s growth.
Nineteen of Ontario’s 22 universities and 24 colleges have world-class mining, geology and engineering programs. Explore the map to see where our programs are located.
The Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) is the leading provider of reliable, credible, accessible geoscience data, information and expert knowledge in Ontario. This helps to attract mineral sector investment, guide efficient and effective mineral exploration and inform government policy priorities.
Here are just some examples of OGS products and services available to the mining and mineral exploration sector:
The Federal Mineral Exploration Tax Credit Program provides a 15 per cent tax credit to investors in the flow-through shares of mineral exploration companies working in Canada. Ontario provides an additional permanent Ontario Focused Flow-Through Share five per cent Tax Credit for companies exploring in the province. The program allows tax credits and tax deductions for exploration to “flow through” to investors purchasing the shares. A $1,000 investment in flow-through shares for exploration in Ontario could cost as little as $375 after federal and provincial tax credits and deductions.
The Ontario government recognizes that early exploration is key to making promising geological discoveries that can lead to future mines, including discoveries of critical minerals. Through the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), junior mining companies can apply for up to $200,000 in funding per project to cover 50 per cent of eligible costs.
The Northern Energy Advantage Program (NEAP) helps Northern Ontario’s largest industrial electricity consumers offset their electricity costs, sustain jobs and maintain competitiveness. The NEAP provides electricity rebates to qualifying participants as they achieve greater electricity efficiency by committing to the development and implementation of a comprehensive Energy Management Plan.
Ontario has a plan to reduce electricity costs on average for medium and larger industrial commercial employers through a Comprehensive Electricity Plan. On January 1, 2021, the province removed certain costs from industrial electricity bills, resulting in average savings of 14 per cent for qualifying metal ore mining employers.
Ontario promotes strong relationships and partnerships between Indigenous communities, industry and government through initiatives like the Aboriginal Participation Fund, which offers opportunities supporting community capacity to participate in mineral exploration and mine development activities. Broad sharing of knowledge and resources, enhanced communications and information-exchange at relationship tables, and collaborative identification of economic opportunities ranging from mining-related activities to initiatives such as resource revenue sharing, all combine to create a progressive environment for Indigenous participation in the mining sector.
Ontario actively works to bring industry, different levels of government, academic institutions, researchers and commercialization entities together to build collaboration opportunities and partnerships. The Province has helped build a culture of innovation through targeted initiatives and investments, such as industry roundtables and working groups, marketing and investment attraction supports, and targeted funding in mining innovation, including through new and improved Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) programs. The NOHFC helps build strong and resilient local economies by making targeted investments in northern businesses, community organizations and municipalities.
The Ontario government has taken significant steps to cut red tape, bring clarity to its regulatory framework and improve processes, including:
Ontario strives to bolster the mining sector as they implement innovative solutions. Borden mine near Chapleau joins the next generation of Newmont mines and leverages our leading land position to anchor this new gold district in Ontario. The mine was delivered on time and on budget and with the Ontario government acting as a willing and able partner throughout the development phase.
John MullallyCountry ManagerSenior director sustainability and external relationsNewmont Canada
