Ontario relaunches plan to boost mining industry

Ontario has relaunched its Mineral Development Strategy with the aim of promoting new investment in mining in the province.

On December 14, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines said it particularly wants to attract investment in mining industry in Thunder Bay, in the north.

The new strategy is a 10-year vision with 10 action points. It reinvigorates a strategy that was originally released in 2006. According to the Ministry, the future will involve “the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history.”

Prospectors, junior mining companies, environmental organizations and Aboriginal and northern communities were consulted before the new strategy was drawn up.

The resulting plan has four broad priorities. It aims to make mining in the province competitive and innovative. It also says the industry should be safe and environmentally responsible, reducing the impacts of exploration and mining, and addressing climate change.

Another priority is to improve the regulatory environment, making it predictable and transparent. And the government says Aboriginal communities should have meaningful participation and that it will establish the socio-economic conditions needed to advance major mining projects.

Ontario accounts for approximately 25 per cent of the mining jobs in Canada, and has over 40 mines operating, including base metal and gold mines, and one diamond mine.

Chris Hodgson, president of the Ontario Mining Association, said: “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.”

To read the Ontario Government press release, click here.