Ontario Investing More Than $7 Million to Grow Critical Minerals Supply Chain

SUDBURY — The Ontario government is securing the province’s economic future by investing more than $7 million to launch a new intake of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to help stimulate investment in critical minerals exploration, mining development, production and processing of domestically sourced critical minerals. As part of its plan to protect Ontario, 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.

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“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 Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan and Minister of Energy and Mines. “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.”

With the new call for applications open from July 23, 2025, to October 1, 2025, 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

• Mining innovation

  
  

This investment builds on the $20 million invested through the CMIF since its launch in November 2022, supporting more than 29 Ontario-based projects. 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.

"Ontario is doubling down on its efforts to protect our province from economic uncertainty and secure our future as global leaders in critical minerals," said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. "This landmark investment in the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund will accelerate the creation of an Ontario-made critical minerals supply chain that grows our economy, creates good-paying jobs, and builds resilient communities today and for future generations.”

As part of its Critical Minerals Strategy, the province continues to make historic investments in Ontario’s mining sector to support Ontario’s emerging end-to-end critical minerals supply chain that will support the province’s manufacturing needs, with critical minerals mined and refined in Ontario, by Ontario workers.

Quick Facts

• Applications can be submitted through Transfer Payment Ontario 

• CMIF contributes a maximum of 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to $500,000 per project.

• Ontario’s mining sector is a significant economic driver, contributing approximately $14.4 billion to Ontario’s GDP annually and supporting around 74,000 direct and indirect good-paying jobs.

• The government is also investing $500 million to create a new Critical Minerals Processing Fund to provide financial support for projects that accelerate the province’s critical mineral processing capacity and made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain.

• The province is investing nearly $3.1 billion in loans, guarantees, grants and scholarships that would support Indigenous participation, partnership and ownership in Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain.

Quotes

"Greater Sudbury is at the heart of Ontario’s mining sector, and we thank the province for its continued investments in critical mineral development. These supports help ensure this industry can remain competitive while advancing the technologies that make exploration, processing, and recovery more efficient, sustainable, and resilient. This latest investment sends a strong signal that Ontario is committed to building a complete, made-in-Canada supply chain—and Greater Sudbury is ready to help lead the way."

- Mayor Paul Lefebvre

City of Greater Sudbury

"Dynamic Earth is where the story of Ontario’s mining industry comes to life; highlighting the critical role this sector plays in our economy and our future. As a science centre rooted in Sudbury, we’re proud to support the public understanding of critical minerals and inspire young people to see themselves in the next wave of mining innovation. This investment by the province underscores the importance of innovation in strengthening Ontario’s leadership on the world stage and building a strong, resilient workforce for generations to come."

- Ashley Larose

CEO, Science North

"We welcome the government’s commitment to accelerate the development of made-in-Ontario technologies for the critical mineral supply chain, including upstream investments in mining at depth, recovery of minerals from legacy sites, value-added processing and recycling. Our sector takes pride in being a leader in safety, sustainability and innovation—adopting clean technologies at a pace well beyond the industry norm. We are excited to continue strengthening our role as innovators and responsible producers of essential minerals that support a greener and more resilient future both at home and abroad."

- Priya Tandon

President, Ontario Mining Association

"The Critical Minerals Innovation Fund has been instrumental in advancing Carbonix’s proprietary processing technology, which is designed to strengthen Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain. With support from CMIF, we’ve been able to accelerate the development of clean, high-performance materials that directly support the province’s competitiveness in electric vehicles, energy storage, and semiconductors. This new intake signals Ontario’s continued leadership and commitment to innovation-driven economic sovereignty."

- Paul Pede

CEO, Carbonix

"The Critical Minerals Innovation Funding puts Ontario at the forefront of a global push to secure the supply of critical metals so important to our future. Minister Lecce's announcement demonstrates that Ontario is serious about unlocking the billions of tonnes of critical metals held in Ontario junior mining companies. This support is essential for junior mining companies struggling to add Ontario sourced critical metals to the supply chain."

- John Paterson

CEO, EV Nickel Inc.

"This new investment is tremendous news for the mining industry, and for mining-related research and innovation. A strong and innovative mining industry is imperative to Canada’s future. This funding will support organizations in the development and deployment of new technologies required for the industry’s immediate expansion and its long-term viability. Technologies that assist with the efficient, safe and sustainable extraction of critical minerals are the key focus of Cambrian’s Centre for Smart Mining and we look forward to the opportunity this funding presents to increase our partnerships with innovators in the industry."

- Steve Gravel

Manager of the Centre for Smart Mining, Cambrian College

"Fox River Resources welcomes Ontario’s continued investment in critical minerals like phosphate. Support from the CMIF is helping accelerate the research and development needed to make phosphate a key contributor to Ontario’s battery supply chain. This funding will help to build on Ontario’s leadership in the critical minerals sector. The government’s commitment to research, development, and commercialization of made-in-Ontario technologies is essential if we are to secure Ontario’s future as a leader in processing our critical minerals."

- Stephen Case

President and CEO, Fox River Resources

"Magna Mining was a prior recipient of an award from the CMIF, so I can testify to the importance of this initiative in supporting the mining and processing of critical minerals in Ontario. Our province has a rich history of mining and exceptional technical expertise. Government programs such as the CMIF will help Ontario expedite innovation in our critical mineral industry, which will lead to increased mining and processing of our vast critical mineral natural resources."

- Jason Jessup

CEO, Magna Mining

"Thanks to the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund, the mining of critical minerals by using innovative techniques, will bolster the mining sector and related industries, strengthen local communities, and drive long-term economic growth—ensuring Ontario remains a global leader in the field."

- Bill Rosenberg

MPP, Algoma-Manitoulin

"As the voice of business and a champion of Ontario’s mining future, the Ontario Chamber welcomes this new intake of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. This investment will speed up development of made-in-Ontario technologies and support a globally competitive, sustainable mining sector. Through our Mining Future 2030 initiative, we are committed to advancing policies that strengthen Ontario’s position as a preferred jurisdiction for responsible mining."

- Daniel Tisch

President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

"Avalon Advanced Materials thanks Minister Lecce and the Ontario Government for continuing to support the critical minerals sector with increased funding to the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. This funding is essential for Battery Supply Chain projects like our Lake Superior Lithium processing facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Such funding will strengthen investment in innovative mineral processing technologies, helping to bolster Ontario’s mining industry."

- Scott Monteith

President & Chief Executive Officer, Avalon Advanced Metals

"At Laurentian University we are proud to play our role in this timely investment. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with industry to catalyse innovation, train the leaders of tomorrow, and create long-lasting benefits for the critical mineral and mining ecosystem."

- Malcolm M. Campbell, PhD

Provost and Vice-President Academic, Laurentian University

"Collège Boréal wholeheartedly welcomes the Ontario government's commitment to accelerating critical mineral investment. This funding boost directly aligns with our mandate to provide high-quality research and training in the skilled trades, natural resources, and technology sectors—preparing a new generation of professionals to meet industry needs. Through these investments in critical minerals, particularly in research like Boréal does every day to helps find solutions to real challenges faced by our industry partners as they contribute to Ontario’s prosperity, our students, our industry partners, our communities, Northern Ontario and by extension the entire province, will only get stronger."

- Daniel Giroux

President of Collège Boréal

"Continued investments in Ontario’s critical minerals sector ensure our province and country are competitive on the global stage. As a global mining centre, Greater Sudbury’s mining, mining supply and services, and technology sectors play a pivotal role in unlocking the economic potential of Ontario. We are grateful that our businesses here at home will have the opportunity to benefit from this next intake of funding."

- Marie Litalien

President and CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce

"This financial support is another step in the right direction for Ontario. Innovation and Technology are an integral part of protecting our sector from outside threats while continuing to strengthen and secure our future as world leaders in mining. I commend Minister Lecce and the Ford government for their leadership through their investment in the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund."

- Mario Grossi

President & CEO, Technica Mining

"This renewed investment in the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund sends a strong signal that the Province of Ontario is committed to building a globally competitive and resilient critical minerals supply chain. We're seeing the impact of this program firsthand through our spodumene ore sorting project with Stark and Queens University, funded under the first intake. As we advance development of our Georgia Lake Mine and Red Rock Converter projects, continued government support not only accelerates innovation but also attracts strategic partnerships, and positions Ontario as a leader in the global energy transition."

- Mirco Wojnarowicz

CEO, Rock Tech Lithium

"The CMIF, is an excellent program that effectively helps industry accelerate new processes and technologies, like the ones we are developing at Mirarco Mining Innovation, and get them into the hands of industry partners like Vale Base Metals. Ontario has the potential to be a fully integrated critical minerals hub for Canada, and investments like this will make it a reality."

- Nadia Mykytczuk

President and CEO, Mining Innovation, Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation; Chair in Biomining, Bioremediation, and Science Communication, Laurentian University

"Vale Base Metals applauds Minister Lecce and his team at Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Mines for the decision to continue with additional intake for its Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. CMIF helped enable VBM's collaboration with our research partners at MIRARCO, under the stewardship of Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk."

- Gord Gilpin

Director, Ontario Operations, Vale Base Metals

"This new intake is a meaningful step toward strengthening Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain. By supporting innovation at home, we’re helping local companies lead the way in building a more resilient, sustainable future for mining."

- Marla Tremblay

Executive Director, MineConnect