Ontario Marks First Access to Nickel Ore at the Craig Mine Onaping Depth Expansion

Stephen Lecce, MPP
3 days ago
5 min read

GREATER SUDBURY — Today, as Ontario continues its work to protect workers and communities from U.S. tariffs by unlocking critical minerals and building mines faster, Premier Doug Ford was in Northern Ontario to celebrate accessing the first nickel ore at the Onaping Depth Project. This 2,600-metre-deep extension of Glencore Canada’s existing Craig Mine, which was shut down in 2009, is the result of a nearly $2 billion investment that will provide a significant new source of high-grade nickel ore beyond 2040, helping Ontario deliver on its plan to build mines faster and unlock world-class mineral wealth that will attract investment and strengthen the province’s position as a secure and reliable global supplier of critical minerals. During construction, the project generated approximately 7,000 jobs and it will support up to 400 jobs at full production in 2027.

“A massive signal of confidence as Glencore invests nearly $2 billion to bring a significant new source of Ontario nickel to market — a boost for Canadian workers and sovereignty,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines and MPP for King—Vaughan. “Ontario is working to disrupt supply chain dominance of adversarial regimes, by moving with unrelenting speed to open mines faster. We cut permit timelines in half, with Ontario emerging as Canada's number one jurisdiction for mining investment. To safeguard Canadian jobs and sovereignty, our government will take additional action this fall to boost the competitiveness of Ontario's mining and made-in-Canada supply chains.”

Once operating at scale, the Onaping Depth Project is projected to produce one million tonnes of ore per year. The current life of the mine plan is expected to produce approximately 280 kilotonnes (kt) of nickel and 145 kt of copper, creating 400 new good-paying jobs and building a stronger, more resilient and self-reliant made-in-Ontario supply chain.

“We’re making historic progress on our plan to secure our domestic supply chains and protect workers from President Trump’s tariffs by creating thousands of good-paying jobs in Ontario’s mining sector,” said Premier Ford. “With access to first ore at the Onaping Depth Project, we’re strengthening Ontario’s global advantage as a supplier of the high-grade nickel the world needs. Congratulations to Glencore Canada and the City of Greater Sudbury on this important milestone for the workers of Northern Ontario and the future of Ontario’s mining sector.”

Nickel is one of the most consumed metals in the world and is a key input in products ranging from stainless steel and advanced manufacturing to electronics and vehicle batteries. Global demand for nickel is projected to grow up to 90 per cent by 2040, while supply is increasingly concentrated in a small number of suppliers. As countries look to diversify critical mineral supply chains, Ontario’s world-class mineral deposits, skilled workforce and mining expertise position the province to play a growing role in supplying the resources needed by Canada, its allies and the international economy.

The Onaping Depth Project showcases the world-leading expertise and technology in Ontario’s mining sector, including an all-electric fleet of 66 electric vehicles. The fleet will reduce diesel emissions, heat and noise underground, while reducing energy use for ventilation by approximately 40 per cent and cooling by approximately 30 per cent compared to an equivalent diesel-fuelled operation.

“The Onaping Depth Project at Craig Mine reflects Glencore Canada’s commitment to sustaining our integrated operations in Sudbury,” said Peter Xavier, Chief Operating Officer, Glencore Canada Metals. “Together with our concentrator and smelter, Onaping Depth supports our long-term presence in the region and strengthens the future of mining in the Sudbury Basin. By extending mining activities to greater depths, we are unlocking new opportunities and resources that will contribute to the continued success of our operations. Operating at this depth has been made possible through our commitment to innovation, including investments in battery electric equipment, remote operations and automation technologies.”

The new deposit will support economic activity across Ontario’s mining and mineral processing sector, with Glencore’s Strathcona Mill processing ore from Onaping to create nickel-copper concentrate before it is further processed at the Sudbury Smelter. By mining and processing this critical mineral at home, the project will support Ontario workers and businesses while strengthening a secure domestic supply chain.

Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations — comprising Craig Mine, Strathcona Mill, Sudbury Smelter and support functions — directly employs more than 1,000 people and, in 2024, contributed nearly $400 million in direct GDP for Ontario’s economy and spent over $650 million in goods and services from Ontario suppliers. The operation is part of Ontario’s broader mining sector, which supports 28,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs through associated mineral processing and supply services.

Quick Facts

Ontario is a world-class mining jurisdiction and ranked first in Canada and second in the world for mining investment according to the Fraser Institute.
Ontario is Canada’s top mineral producer, generating $14.2 billion worth of minerals in 2025.
Nickel is one of the most consumed metals in the world, making it a key input for a wide range of everyday applications — from stainless steel appliances to batteries needed in electronic devices and vehicles.
The Onaping Depth Project is an underground mining area 2,600 metres deep — roughly the equivalent of five CN Towers.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to support investments that unlock Northern Ontario’s incredible potential and build a more competitive and resilient future for the North, Ontario and Canada. The start of first ore at Onaping Depth is a major milestone that highlights the strength and potential of our mining sector. Glencore’s investment will maintain and help secure Ontario’s role in the global critical minerals market while creating new opportunities for workers, businesses and communities."

- George Pirie

Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth

"I want to thank Premier Ford, Minister Lecce and the Government of Ontario for celebrating and supporting this incredible milestone in the Sudbury Basin. This significant investment demonstrates the importance of critical minerals in the province and the hundreds of good-paying jobs that strengthen our local economy and helps to secure our mining sector for decades to come."

- Paul Lefebvre

Mayor, City of Greater Sudbury

"Accessing first ore at the Onaping Depth Project is a significant milestone for Ontario’s mining sector and a powerful example of what can be achieved when industry, workers and government collaborate. Congratulations to Glencore Canada on this nearly $2 billion investment that will strengthen Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain, support hundreds of good-paying jobs and drive innovation and prosperity at home. Today’s announcement further reinforces Ontario’s position as a trusted global supplier of nickel."

- Priya Tandon

President, Ontario Mining Association

Additional Resources