Ontario Releases Renewed Mineral Development Strategy
Press Release
Province Helping to Promote Thunder Bay as a Mining Hub
December 14, 2015
Ontario recently introduced a renewed Mineral Development Strategy that provides a 10-year vision to position Ontario as the global leader in sustainable mineral development and will help promote the mining industry in Thunder Bay.
The renewed strategy confirms the province’s commitment to attracting new investment and supporting innovation in the mineral exploration and development sector around the province and in Thunder Bay. The strategy consists of a 10-point action plan with four strategic priorities to ensure the mining sector is:
- Competitive and innovative
- Safe and environmentally responsible
- Efficiently and effectively regulated
- Positioned to ensure growth and prosperity for future generations.
The strategy is the result of engagement with prospectors, junior exploration and mining companies, environmental organizations and Aboriginal and northern communities. They shared their input through written submissions and participation at workshops hosted by the province.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is investing $5 million in a Junior Exploration Assistance Program in support of the renewed Mineral Development Strategy. This program is expected to provide much needed financial support for mineral exploration projects.
Supporting a healthy, competitive and sustainable mineral sector is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.
- The Mineral Development Strategy was originally released in 2006. Renewing the strategy was a key commitment of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.
- There are currently over 40 mines operating in Ontario, including 14 base metal mines, 16 gold mines and one diamond mine.
- The value of mineral production in 2003 was $5.7 billion. In 2014, the value of mineral production was a record $11 billion.
- Ontario accounts for approximately 25 per cent of mining jobs in Canada.
- The mining industry supports more than 26,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs, and is the largest private employer of Aboriginal persons in Ontario.
“Our government is committed to supporting a globally competitive mineral development and mining sector that provides significant social and economic contributions to Ontario’s economy and supports economic development for Aboriginal communities. The Mineral Development Strategy is a blueprint for how we will help the sector address the challenges of today and position it to grow and attract investment in the future.”
“The OMA thanks Minister Gravelle for his ongoing commitment to the mining sector. The renewal of Ontario’s Mineral Development Strategy recognizes the sector’s value to Ontario as well as the crucial need to have a competitive operating environment. We look forward to working with the Minister to maintain a leadership position in sustainable mining.”
“The introduction of a 10 year Mineral Development Strategy by the Ontario Government will provide a solid framework for mineral explorationists in Ontario. The components of the Strategy, when implemented, will provide greater certainty and preserve Ontario’s position as the number one jurisdiction for mineral exploration in Canada.”
“Ontario’s Mineral Development Strategy is charting the path for future resource development in Northern Ontario. Mining, anywhere in the world, has to focus not only on how to best get what we need from under the ground, but to make certain we push for the best from those above the ground, too. This strategy will help do just that and CESME looks forward to partnering with the province as we work together to ensure sustainable mineral development that is to the benefit of all”
“The renewal of Ontario’s Mineral Development Strategy and its subsequent implementation says that Ontario is interested in growing this sector of the economy in a sustainable manner through targeted investments in infrastructure, exploration incentives and improving the innovation and cost competitiveness of the industry while listening to the input and thoughts of the aboriginal and municipal stakeholders. This can and will continue to be a leading industry in the north.”
Media Contacts
Julia Bennett
Communications Services Branch
julia.bennett@ontario.ca
416-314-6275
James Carleton
Minister’s Office
james.carleton@ontario.ca
416-327-1208
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