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Ontario Mining

Ontario launches $3.1-billion critical minerals plan – by Abdul Matin Sarfraz (Canada’s National Observer/Penticton Herald – May 22, 2025)

https://www.pentictonherald.ca/

Ontario’s new $3.1-billion plan for a critical minerals supply chain created in partnership with First Nations is raising concerns about weakened environmental protections and inadequate Indigenous consultation.

Announced Wednesday, the provincial initiative will create a “made-in-Ontario” supply chain and boost First Nations equity, according to the government. But critics say environmental protections and First Nations consultation will be sidelined in the rush to develop the Ring of Fire — a vast region about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay.

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Objections to ‘special economic zones’ bill pour in ahead of committee review – by Jessica Smith Cross and Sneh Duggal (The Trillium – May 21, 2025)

https://www.thetrillium.ca/

A committee studying Bill 5 has received more than 100 written submissions so far opposing it

Ford government-proposed legislation that would give cabinet ministers broad powers to exempt chosen projects from provincial and local laws has drawn concerted opposition from First Nations, environmental groups, municipalities and concerned citizens.

Bill 5, the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, is scheduled for public hearings at a legislative committee on Thursday and Monday. Ahead of those meetings, the interior committee has received more than 120 written submissions that overwhelmingly oppose the bill.

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Doug Ford government touts $3B for Indigenous loans a day before hearings on the controversial bill fast-tracking mining projects – by Robert Benzie (Toronto Star – May 21, 2025)

https://www.thestar.com/

With legislative hearings on Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act,” beginning Thursday at Queen’s Park, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives appear mindful it is contentious.

Amid concerns from some Indigenous groups over controversial legislation to fast-track mining projects, the province has tripled to $3 billion loans for First Nations partnerships. With legislative hearings on Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act,” beginning Thursday at Queen’s Park, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives appear mindful it is contentious.

Ahead of criticism anticipated from those testifying at the all-party committee studying the bill — and protests planned outside the legislature — the Tories were touting their efforts for First Nations.

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NEWS RELEASE: Province Investing $3.1 Billion to Support Indigenous Partnership in Critical Mineral Development (Ontario Government – May 21, 2025)

Made-in-Ontario critical mineral supply chain will protect workers and communities across the province

TORONTO — As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, the province is supporting the creation of a made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain that includes new resources and opportunities for Indigenous equity partnerships. These measures include nearly $3.1 billion in loans, grants and scholarships that would support Indigenous participation, partnership and ownership in Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain.

“Ontario’s vast supply of critical minerals are at the heart of our plan to protect Ontario,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “By investing to unlock and process these minerals here in Ontario in partnership with Indigenous communities, we can make Ontario the top global hub of critical mineral development and protect our economy, workers and communities for decades to come.”

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NEWS RELEASE: The Chiefs of Ontario responds to the tabling of 2025 Ontario budget (May 15, 2025)

(Toronto, Ont.–May 15, 2025) The Chiefs of Ontario has issued the following statement in response to the 2025 Ontario budget, tabled today at Queen’s Park:

Today’s budget is largely a response to the ongoing economic concerns stemming from U.S. tariffs with a heavy focus on mineral development in Ontario. The word “reconciliation” only appears twice in this year’s budget, both in reference to the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation. The word “mineral” is repeated 63 times, and “Ring of Fire” is repeated 16.

Among the key investments announced in today’s budget is $70 million over four years into the Indigenous Participation Fund (formerly known as the Aboriginal Participation Fund), as well as $10 million for scholarships for First Nations students interested in working in resource development. The budget also commits to tripling loan guarantees through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program to $3 billion, up from $1 billion.

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Ford government denies bill to speed up development will override environmental and Indigenous concerns – by Kristin Rushowy and Noor Javed (Toronto Star – May 18, 2025)

https://www.thestar.com/

Premier Doug Ford has said Bill 5 is needed to speed up much-needed investments and projects especially as the province tries to weather ongoing economic threats from the U.S. Endangered species will be at further risk under a new bill environmental groups also say gives the government too much power to fast-track mining and infrastructure projects anywhere it wants.

Premier Doug Ford has said Bill 5 is needed to speed up much-needed investments and projects — like the Ring of Fire mineral site in the north, or even a plan to potentially tunnel under Highway 401 to ease traffic congestion in Toronto — especially as the province tries to weather ongoing economic threats from the U.S.

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Excerpt From 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario – Critical Minerals, Ring of Fire and Indigenous Initiatives (May 15, 2025)

https://www.budget.ontario.ca/2025/pdf/2025-ontario-budget-en.pdf   (pages 36 – 43)

Ontario calls on the federal government to recognize the important role that Ontario shipbuilders can play in the National Shipbuilding Strategy to bolster Canada’s domestic shipbuilding capabilities, as well as supporting Canada in meeting and exceeding its two per cent of GDP NATO spending target as part of national defence commitments.

Unleashing the Economic Potential of Critical Minerals

The imposition of U.S. tariffs has highlighted the urgent need to bolster Ontario’s economic resilience. This includes greater emphasis on domestically sourced critical minerals to maintain secure supply chains and unleash Ontario’s economy.

Critical minerals, such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements, are the foundation upon which modern technology is built. Rapidly changing technologies are, in turn, increasing the global demand for critical minerals, which have become important to strategic industries, including in the defence, aerospace, automotive and energy sectors.

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Lecce touts Ontario’s mining strategy as key to energy security and economic self-reliance – by Barbara Patrocinio (QP Briefing – May 16, 2025)

https://www.qpbriefing.com/

“Our job is to be bold,” Lecce said. “We’re not just exporting minerals. We’re exporting a model for how a modern, secure, and sovereign economy can look in the 21st century.”

In an interview marking mining week, Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce says Ontario is poised to become a global “clean energy superpower,” and he’s betting big on critical minerals, faster permitting timelines, and more domestic processing to get there.

Lecce outlined his vision for the province’s resource sector, which he described as essential not only to creating tens of thousands of jobs, but also to defending Canada’s economic sovereignty.

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Ice roads are a lifeline for First Nations. As Canada warms, they’re disappearing. (Grist.org – May 15, 2025)

https://grist.org/

Indigenous peoples are navigating the slow collapse of winter roads — and an even slower pace of help.

It was the last night of February and a 4×4 truck vaulted down the 103-mile winter road to Cat Lake First Nation in northern Ontario, a road made entirely of ice and snow. Only the light of the stars and the red and white truck lights illuminated the dense, snow-dusted spruce trees on either side of the road. From the passenger seat, Rachel Wesley, a member of the Ojibway community and its economic development officer, told the driver to stop.

The truck halted on a snow bridge over a wide creek — 1 of 5 made of snow along this road. It was wide enough for only one truck to cross at a time; its snowy surface barely 2 feet above the creek. Wesley zipped up her thick jacket and jumped out into the frigid night air. She looked at the creek and pointed at its open, flowing water. “That’s not normal,” she said, placing a cigarette between her lips.

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Northern Ontario First Nations fear uphill battle to preserve rights as Bill 5 speeds through legislature – by Aya Dufour (CBC News Sudbury – May 16, 2025)

https://www.cbc.ca/

Ford government says it’s cutting ‘red tape’ to speed up resource development projects

Bill 5 is a broad piece of legislation that has implications for mining development, endangered species, archeology and Indigenous peoples. It’s part of the Ford government’s “plan to protect Ontario” by cutting “the red tape that has held back major infrastructure, mining and resource development projects.”

The bill was tabled a few weeks ago and is now slated to be examined by a standing committee at Queen’s Park, whom Friends of the Attawapiskat river founder Michel Koostachin is set to address in the coming weeks. “There’s not going to be any consultations whatsoever with this bill,” said Koostachin.

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Turbulence in global titanium supply (The Oregon Group – May 14, 2025)

https://theoregongroup.substack.com/

Titanium market faces supply disruptions and regional deficits

Titanium, prized for its strength and versatility, is essential across advanced defense, aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial sectors. From everyday pigments to jet engines, the titanium dioxide (TiO₂) market was valued at US$24 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 3.7% from 2023-2030. The US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan all classify titanium as a critical mineral.

The titanium market now faces supply disruptions and regional deficits as geopolitical challenges and rising defense industry demands increase pressure. Growth in Chinese dominance of global pigment markets has also driven supply deficits of high value titanium dioxide minerals such as rutile. The largest global producers of titanium metal and pigments are feeling the strain—creating a clear market opportunity for new entrants and strategic investments in new long-term sources of titanium feedstocks.

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Glencore and Vale each win mine rescue district honours – by Staff (Sudbury.com – May 14, 2025)

https://www.sudbury.com/

Annual district mine rescue competitions were held last week for both the Onaping and Sudbury mining districts, teams now advance to the all-Ontario competition to held in Timmins in June

Vale and Glencore are sharing the honours for the 2025 Ontario Mine Rescue district competition winners for Sudbury and Onaping districts respectively, said a news release issued Tuesday. The annual mine rescue district competitions, held last week, produced new winning teams in all of the mining districts across the province.

Those teams will advance to the provincial competition to be held in Timmins in June. Every team that participated in the district contests had to respond to a mock emergency. Teams were judged on how quickly they responded, how well they performed first aid and how they resolved the overall emergency.

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NEWS RELEASE: Tariffs or no Tariffs, Genuine First Nation Partnerships must be the Backbone of Sustainable Development in Ontario and throughout Canada (Eabametoong First Nation – May 14, 2025)

Eabametoong, Ontario – “Respect and wisdom go a long way, although they are becoming rare in these days of selfinterest,” reflected Chief Solomon Atlookan and Council from Eabametoong First Nation. “Many politicians are promising change and racing to push new projects without thinking through what positive development is really about – improving quality of life for the long term.”

Yesterday Prime Minister Carney announced his new cabinet, and many in Canadian and Provincial politics have been scrambling to respond to the threats coming from our long time American allies. The leadership of Eabametoong First Nation has written to invite governments and businesses to return their focus to a much deeper and fundamental alliance: Treaty #9 and relationships with First Nations. EFN is calling for a ‘war council’ to be formed with the specific focus of promoting the economic and social sustainability of our shared way of life.

“Our ancestors fought and spilled blood alongside the settler forces in 1812 to preserve our way of life against American expansionism, and we later agreed to a Treaty that promised shared control of our lands and the mutual prosperity of our peoples.

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Mining the Northwest: Orla spends to elevate Musselwhite to ‘next level’ production – by Ian Ross (Northern Ontario Business – May 14, 2025)

https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/

Vancouver miner invests $115 million to upgrade, expand and lengthen mine life of northwest operation

Vancouver’s Orla Mining is delivering as originally advertised when it comes to investing and rebuilding in its latest catch at the Musselwhite Mine.

The upstart mid-tier gold company is investing $115 million into the remote northwestern Ontario underground operation to plunk into mine development, procure new equipment, and launch an aggressive round of exploration drilling this year.

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‘Diamonds are forever,’ but not necessarily so for northern mining industry – by Aya Dufour (CBC News Sudbury – May 13, 2025)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/

DeBeers renews focus on natural diamonds after closing lab-grown business

DeBeers recently renewed its focus on natural diamonds after experimenting with lab-grown ones. But that probably won’t be enough to revive diamond mining in northern Ontario, according to some working in the sector.

In a news release last week, the mining giant pointed to a sharp decline in prices for lab-grown diamonds and said that trend underpinned the company’s “core belief in rare, high value and natural diamond jewelry.” DeBeers started its lab-grown diamond business around the same time it closed its only diamond project in Ontario — the Victor Mine near Attawapiskat First Nation in the province’s far north.

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