MESSAGE FROM THE Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry

UNLOCKING ONTARIO’S CRITICAL MINERALS

It’s no secret that the past two years have placed numerous challenges on the province’s mineral sector. With that said, as Minister of Northern Development and Mines, I am confident that the sector will be at the forefront of the province’s economic recovery as we look past COVID-19 and onto further prosperity and exploration opportunities.

We know that Ontario will be a leader in the global supply chain for critical minerals. That’s why we have developed Ontario’s first ever Critical Minerals Strategy to join our allies and trading partners in the effort to end China’s stranglehold on the world market for critical minerals. Through this strategy, we will generate investment and ultimately create high-quality jobs that support families and communities.

This strategy leverages Ontario’s exquisite deposits, mineral development expertise and innovation prowess to promote supply chains for strategic sectors –such as electric vehicle batteries that require vast quantities of specific critical minerals. We are already a pivotal global supplier of many critical minerals, and Ontario minerals are used in several products worldwide. We now have an opportunity to build on what we already have.

There is immense exploration and mineral development potential within the province for critical minerals, and Ontario is ready to capture a larger piece of this growing market. Our processing capabilities and proximity to North American manufacturing hubs make Ontario an ideal place for mineral exploration and investment. By pursuing this strategy, we will unlock critical minerals in the North, which will drive our economic recovery across the province and create boundless opportunities for Ontarians.

Our government was excited to launch the second intake of the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), a costsharing initiative to help junior mining companies raise financing for early exploration projects. We made this decision because the first intake of the program was so successful, showing us that Ontario has a strong junior exploration sector that is eager to get involved in the space. Initiatives like OJEP are what will make our sector even greater, as junior mining companies will undoubtedly make new and exciting discoveries that lead to the mines of the future, including new critical minerals discoveries.

I am proud of the work our government is doing to create opportunities and drive growth in our province’s exploration and mining sector, while upholding our commitment to maintaining environmental protections and ensuring public health and safety.

I look forward to continuing to work with the Ontario Prospectors Association and other partners to promote our province as a top-tier destination for mining and a global centre for exploration and know-how. Let’s continue to create opportunities in Ontario’s mining sector and send a strong signal to the world that our mineral sector is open for business and ready for critical minerals discoveries.

Greg Rickford Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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OPA Media Hub · Mar 31, 2022

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OPA Media Hub · Mar 31, 2022

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Zero Emission Nickel Production

Thunder Bay Could be Home to $400 MILLION LITHIUM REFINERY

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

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Thunder Bay Could be Home to $400 MILLION LITHIUM REFINERY

OPA Prospector

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