Investing in Ontario’s Critical Minerals Leadership

(Toronto – March 2, 2025) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) launched its new mining initiative, Ontario’s Mining Future 2030, aimed at ensuring the province remains a global leader in mining, critical minerals, and the clean economy.

Announced at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2025 Conference – North America’s largest mining conference – this initiative will identify solutions to help the sector to capitalize on growth and position Ontario as the preferred jurisdiction for responsible mining.

“As global demand for critical minerals grows, Ontario has an opportunity to lead. But since our competitors are moving fast, we must move faster,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “By bringing together stakeholders from across Ontario’s mining sector, we will generate evidence-based recommendations to unlock investment, enhance regulatory certainty, strengthen partnerships between industry, Indigenous communities and government, and address workforce shortages.”

Ontario’s Mining Future 2030 will engage business, government, and Indigenous leaders through a council and policy research outlining key opportunities, challenges, and recommendations to enhance the industry’s global competitiveness and sustainability.

The Council has identified several core areas critical to unlocking Ontario’s mining industry, including:

• Workforce development: Ensuring a resilient and available workforce to support mining sector expansion.
• Regulatory approvals: Addressing regulatory approval delays and opportunities to de-risk mining projects.
• Access to capital, tax and incentives: Attracting investment through financial tools and incentives.
• Energy security and infrastructure: Ensuring affordable, reliable and sustainable energy solutions for mining projects and driving the clean energy transition.
• Indigenous partnerships: Exploring diverse approaches to fostering strong partnerships with Indigenous people, nations and communities.

The Ontario Chamber looks forward to working with its members, partners and all orders of government to advance Ontario’s mining and critical mineral sectors. The OCC thanks its Mining Initiative anchor partner, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, presenting partners IAMGOLD, Impala Canada, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Mine Connect, PRA Communications, and supporting partner, Alamos Gold Inc.

The Chamber also welcomes having broad representation of the mining sector on the council through the Ontario Mining Association, Canada Nickel Company, Sussex Strategy and Green TM Resources Canada Ltd, and strong community representation from the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Timmins Chamber of Commerce.

-30-

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC convenes, mobilizes and empowers business and local chambers in pursuit of its purpose: to bring inclusive and sustainable prosperity to Ontario’s businesses, workers, and communities.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Senior Manager of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255

PARTNER QUOTES

“The mining industry is the backbone of the Ontario economy.  Agnico Eagle is excited to be working with the Ontario Chamber’s Mining Council to develop recommendations to ensure the sector continues to grow and power our economy into the future,” Andre Leite, Vice President, Ontario Operations, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited.

“IAMGOLD is pleased to join the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and other industry peers as a founding member of the newly created Mining Council. We look forward to contributing to the Ontario’s Mining Future 2030 initiative, bringing our sustainable mining approach to the Council’s work to support further unlocking the potential of Ontario’s mining industry,” Renaud Adams, IAMGOLD President and CEO

“Mining plays a vital role in driving Ontario’s economic growth, and PRA Communications is proud to collaborate with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Mining Council. We are committed to shaping the industry’s future and showcasing its full economic potential across the province,” Michael MacMillan, Managing Partner, PRA Communications.