Critical Minerals – April 2025 Overview
Ontario Unleashing Economic Potential of Critical Mineral and Resource Development
As the next step in the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is introducing the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025. If passed, this comprehensive legislation would cut the red tape and duplicative processes that have held back major infrastructure, mining and resource development projects, including in the Ring of Fire. By streamlining approval processes while maintaining robust environmental standards, Ontario will unleash the economic potential of its critical minerals to make the province’s economy the most competitive place in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.
“The maze of bureaucracy, red tape and duplicative processes holding back our economy means that a single mining project can take 15 years to be approved,” said Premier Doug Ford. “In the face of current Ontario-U.S. trade tensions, it can no longer be business as usual. We are cutting red tape to unlock our critical minerals and unleash our economy to create new jobs and opportunities in the north and across the province.”
The current permitting and authorization processes for mining and major infrastructure projects require proponents to navigate a complex process of overlapping and duplicative approvals from multiple ministries and levels of government. The Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025 would streamline this process to minimize delays, lower costs and set service standards for government review times, in order to simplify and speed up the approvals process. The province will maintain its robust environmental standards throughout, while also fulfilling its constitutional obligations to Indigenous communities, including the duty to consult.
“When it comes to protecting our province and country’s economic sovereignty from President Trump’s attacks, it cannot be business as usual,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “We are unveiling a bold plan that ensures Canada is self-reliant, economically independent, and seizing every opportunity to grow our economy and stand on our own two feet. That is why we are taking decisive action to protect Canada’s natural resources from foreign adversaries, and our intent is to reduce government review time by 50 per cent to get shovels in the ground. Accelerating responsible resource development — from clean energy to critical minerals projects — creates a generational opportunity that will transform our country into a true energy superpower.”
Key measures in this legislation include:
- Create authority to designate special economic zones to help advance projects of provincial importance and security where proponents meet rigorous operating, safety and environmental standards. Projects that meet these standards will benefit from streamlined requirements, accelerated permitting and priority access to services such as the new One Project, One Process model.
- Accelerating mining development in every part of the province through a new One Project, One Process permitting model that streamlines approval processes across government to one process, with the intent of reducing government review time by 50 per cent. This will be accomplished by introducing binding service standards for government review time for any designated project to deliver predictability and accountability. The government would continue to fulfill its duty to consult Indigenous communities throughout this process.
- Speeding up housing, transit, infrastructure and other projects impacting certain species by adopting a “registration-first” approach to project approvals. Instead of waiting up to two years for species permits, proponents will be able to proceed as soon as they register and meet the requirements. This practical approach maintains strong environmental protections by establishing clear, enforceable rules for businesses to follow, with tough fines for non-compliance.
- Establishing a new Species Conservation Program to support the valuable work of species experts and community-based conservation initiatives across the province. Through this program, the government will make up to $20 million available for species conservation efforts annually — more than four times the current amount.
- Saving businesses money by eliminating registration fees for the Environmental Activity and Sector Registry. The change is expected to save regulated businesses about $2.6 million annually.
- Protecting critical mineral resources from bad actors by proposing authorities to restrict the registration or transfer of mining claims, deny a lease, cancel a mining claim registration or terminate a lease, on the basis of protecting the strategic national mineral supply chain.
- Building a secure energy grid by restricting access of foreign state-owned or based companies while streamlining the permitting process to get projects built faster.
If passed, the province will work to establish clear criteria against which special economic zones will be evaluated, with the goal of designating the first zone by September 2025, while upholding duty to consult obligations. It is anticipated that priority will be given to critical mineral development opportunities, recognizing its vital role in supplying key minerals like nickel, copper and chromite that are essential to Ontario’s economic growth and security.
Building a Stronger, Self-Reliant Ontario – Province’s New Framework Will Accelerate Critical Mineral Development
As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the government is cutting red tape and streamlining approvals to build mines faster, making Ontario and Canada’s economy more resilient and self-reliant. Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce was in Sudbury to highlight the benefits of the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act for northern communities. This legislation would create a new “One Project, One Process” framework for advanced exploration and mine development projects, reducing government review times by at least 50 per cent and getting shovels in the ground in the Ring of Fire and in mining projects across Ontario.
“Protecting Ontario’s economic sovereignty starts today, as we rapidly accelerate responsible critical mineral development and move toward a new reality of self-reliance,” said Minister Lecce. “This plan will end the overly bureaucratic and duplicative approval process, where it can take upwards of 15 years to open a mine in Ontario. By moving away from a piecemeal system to a new and integrated approach that gets shovels in the ground, we are fully realizing our economic potential. Our government’s plan will position Ontario as the most attractive justification to invest, create jobs, and expand responsible resource development.”
Current permitting and authorization processes for mining and major infrastructure projects require navigating a maze of multi-ministry, overlapping approvals. The new “One Project, One Process” approval model will streamline all approvals into one process, coordinated by a dedicated Mine Authorization and Permitting Delivery Team, led by a team lead within the Ministry of Energy and Mines. This approach will balance speed, while maintaining robust environmental standards and the province’s obligations to Indigenous communities.
“Our government was given a strong mandate to protect Ontario and build a stronger, more competitive and self-reliant economy,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This legislation will deliver a clear and predictable environment for businesses and communities that want to build and unleash the economic might of Ontario and all that the north has to offer.”
The government also unveiled the Integrated Permitting Plan to significantly reduce the number of permits and introduce first-of-its-kind performance metrics and binding service standards to reduce overall project timelines. If the proposed legislation is passed, 12 critical mineral and gold projects will be able to immediately take advantage of these bold measures to get their product out of the ground and into market faster.
“The province’s commitment to accelerating responsible development through the One Project, One Process approach is good news for Greater Sudbury, where mining is not just an industry—it’s a cornerstone of our economy,” said Mayor of Sudbury Paul Lefebrve. “Certainty and speed in permitting are essential to unlocking our full critical minerals potential. Greater Sudbury is ready to work alongside the Province to build a complete, made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain—from exploration to processing—creating jobs, attracting investment, and strengthening Canada’s economic sovereignty.”
By simplifying the permitting process, Ontario is strengthening its position as a top destination for mining investment. This will make it easier for companies to plan, hire, and execute projects in northern communities like Sudbury. This means more good-paying jobs across Northern Ontario, stronger local supply chains and increased economic activity in the region.
Protecting Ontario’s Critical Minerals and Energy Sector
As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is introducing new measures to prevent foreign governments or corporations from claiming Ontario’s critical minerals or participating in the province’s energy sector. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, along with Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan announced details from the Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act. The proposed legislation will safeguard Ontario’s critical mining resources and energy infrastructure from hostile foreign actors and regimes, creating conditions that will attract investment and make Ontario’s and Canada’s economy more resilient and self-reliant.
“Canadian resources ought to benefit Canadians, not hostile, foreign regimes,” said Minister Lecce. “In today’s changing world, we need to be clear-eyed about the risks from those who want to exploit our resource bounty. That is why it is essential that Ontario is protecting our critical minerals and energy sector from getting into the wrong hands. Our government is taking action to secure our supply chains, from exploration to extraction, to ensure Canadian interests, jobs, and sovereignty always prevail.”
Currently, there are no safeguards in place to prevent adversarial foreign governments or corporations or bad actors from claiming critical minerals or participating in the energy sector in Ontario. This means that foreign entities can stake claim to mineral-rich deposits without the intention of harvesting them for the benefit of Ontarians or Canadians.
“Ontario is taking important actions to protect our mining and energy assets during this volatile time,” said MPP Kevin Holland. “This is especially important for Northern Ontario, as critical mineral and mining resources are an integral part of our economy. This legislation will ensure they remain a commodity that supports our workforce and livelihood.”
The Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act seeks to preserve and prioritize access to the province’s critical minerals and energy sector by creating new measures that will allow the government to suspend or remove a registrant from the Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS) or suspend the MLAS system itself. It would also give the government the ability to deny the transfer or lease of a mining claim, or when necessary, revoke a mining claim registration or terminate a lease.
New measures will also be taken to protect Ontario’s essential energy usage by foreign state-owned or based companies by limiting the participation of specified foreign jurisdictions or entities in Ontario’s energy sector. This aims to protect our energy systems from risks including malware, manipulation, tampering, surveillance, potential ratepayer harm, and other threats posed by foreign state-owned or based companies seeking to compromise essential services.
Manitoba Government Taking Action to Grow Critical Mineral Sector, Create More Good Jobs
The Manitoba government has opened its Critical Mineral Office, established a mining advisory council and formed a partnership to support mining workforce development and training in
Indigenous communities, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses and Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Minister Ian Bushie announced.
“Manitoba has the critical minerals the world needs and that’s why we are focused on growing the sector to create good jobs,” said Moses. “It’s never been more important to diversify our province’s economy and create new trade relationships, and the new Critical Mineral Office and mining advisory council will help us do that.”
Manitoba’s single-window Critical Mineral Office will advance the province’s mining sector by attracting investment from around the world and providing mining businesses with customized service to streamline processes and speed up project development while maintaining Manitoba’s high environmental and labour standards, noted the minister.
The Manitoba government has also established a mining advisory council with representation from government, Indigenous organizations, environmental groups, academia, municipalities and labour to provide guidance and inform the province’s work around critical minerals with the key objective of advancing Indigenous inclusion and mineral sector partnerships.
Through a partnership with Prairies Economic Development Canada and the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund, the province is providing $1 million to Marcel Colomb First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Norway House Cree First Nation and Kiciwapa Cree First Nation in support of workforce development and training for the mining industry.
“We’re making sure Indigenous nations are properly consulted and involved in decision making, and that they see the economic benefits of critical mineral projects,” said Bushie. “By bringing in Indigenous-led environmental monitoring and stewardship and working with communities, we can create good local jobs and strengthen our economy for everyone – the right way.”
Manitoba has 30 of 34 critical minerals identified by the federal government as critical for promoting green energy and sustainable economic success including all six minerals recognized as having the greatest opportunity to fuel domestic supply and manufacturing, namely lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements.
Saskatchewan Uranium Production and Sales Reach All Time Highs
Saskatchewan’s uranium industry is responding to growing global demand by setting new records for annual sales and production in 2024.
Last year, uranium sales reached a new high of $2.6 billion, exceeding Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan target of increasing the annual value of uranium sales to $2 billion dollars by 2030. Uranium production also reached a new record high of 16.7 thousand tonnes in 2024, up 28 per cent from 2023.
“The strong growth of our world-class uranium industry is great news for Saskatchewan,” Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young said. “With our abundant, high-quality reserves and stable regulatory approach to resource development, our government is very optimistic about Saskatchewan’s increasing role in global energy security in the coming years. We expect uranium production will continue to rise with the McClean Lake mine resuming operations this year and other major projects approaching construction.”
In 2024, uranium exploration spending is estimated to have reached $200 million and is expected to remain strong in 2025. With this increased exploration investment targeting uranium, Saskatchewan is projected to reach its Critical Minerals Strategy goal of securing 15 per cent of Canadian mineral exploration spending this year, well ahead of the 2030 target.
Saskatchewan potash production also reached record highs in 2024. Last year, 15.1 million metric tonnes potassium oxide (K2O) of potash was produced in Saskatchewan, an eight per cent increase from 2023. Saskatchewan is the world’s leading potash producer, accounting for approximately one-third of global production.
Saskatchewan is the world’s second-largest producer of uranium and has the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world in the Athabasca Basin. The province’s uranium industry employs over 3,400 people and procures hundreds of millions of dollars in goods and services from Saskatchewan businesses.
Treaty Land Entitlement Transfer of Mineral Rights for Sturgeon Lake First Nation
An additional 128 hectares (317 acres) of undisposed Crown mineral rights are now eligible to be transferred to Sturgeon Lake First Nation under the Sturgeon Lake Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Settlement Agreement once the surface attains reserve status.
The Government of Saskatchewan has approved the transfer of approximately 2,093 hectares (5,171 acres) of Crown minerals to the federal government on behalf of Sturgeon Lake First Nation. This latest order has increased the total and further support the First Nation’s efforts to realize the full benefits of its Treaty land entitlement.
“The transfer of mineral rights to the Sturgeon Lake First Nation demonstrates Saskatchewan’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling its Treaty obligations and fostering economic reconciliation in our resource-rich province,” Minister Responsible for First Nations Métis and Northern Affairs Eric Schmalz said. “We are committed to supporting long-term opportunities for growth and prosperity in First Nation communities across the province.”
This transfer marks another step in the province’s support of TLE agreements which enable First Nations to acquire reserve lands that were promised under the Treaties. The creation of new reserve lands contributes to community growth, economic development and the exercise of traditional land use.
The Ministry of Government Relations oversees and implements the provincial responsibilities under TLE agreements, working in collaboration with Canada and 36 Entitlement First Nations across Saskatchewan.
B.C. Streamlines Permitting for Renewable-Energy Projects
The Province is taking action to speed up permitting for renewable-energy projects to meet growing demand for clean power, address climate change and secure energy independence for British Columbians in the face of unprecedented trade threats.
Government introduced the renewable energy projects (streamlined permitting) act to the legislative assembly on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. If passed, the act will expand the authority of the BC Energy Regulator (BCER) to oversee renewable-energy projects, building on the Province’s
investments to generate the clean power needed to create a healthier environment and sustainable future for British Columbians.
“B.C. has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a world leader in clean-energy production and we will take every action possible to see that all British Columbians benefit from this opportunity,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Renewable energy projects like wind and solar are urgently needed to provide affordable clean power, create jobs, and strengthen and diversify our economy, especially during this period of global market uncertainty.”
If approved, these changes will establish the BCER as the primary permitting agency for renewable-energy projects and transmission lines. The legislation will help simplify the approvals process for these projects, eliminating the need for cross-ministry and agency permitting, by establishing the BCER as the single window for permitting in accordance with strict environmental standards. This will be completed in a staged approach through regulation.
Canada Has the Critical Minerals Donald Trump Wants. So What Should We Do With Them?
An ongoing trade war and U.S. President Donald Trump’s hunger for critical minerals have brought Canada’s rich mineral deposits into the spotlight, with federal and provincial politicians promising to accelerate natural resource projects.
Interest in the country’s critical minerals surged after Trump started musing about annexing Canada, experts say, and grew as the president’s global trade war intensified. “This is now a domestic conversation about how we treat natural resources or natural resource development projects here in Canada,” said Elizabeth Steyn, a mining and finance law expert at the University of Calgary.
A key element of that conversation is northern Ontario’s mineral-rich Ring of Fire, a region spanning roughly 5,000 kilometres where vast reserves of nickel, chromite, zinc, platinum, copper and many other critical minerals are believed to be buried.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said that his government would aim to approve all federal permits for mining in the Ring of Fire region within six months, and commit $1 billion to build a road network to help facilitate that.
As part of his promises to invest in critical minerals, Liberal Leader Mark Carney has said that he would work “very closely” with the Ontario government to “rapidly” develop the Ring of Fire.
Ontario’s government tabled legislation Thursday aimed at speeding up the development of mines — and other large-scale projects — by designating some of them as “special economic zones.” The Ring of Fire will be one such zone. Premier Doug Ford said the need to fast-track mining projects is a direct response to Trump’s threats.
But Ontario’s move has triggered concerns from Indigenous groups who say any Ring of Fire developments must include consultations with First Nations and respect their rights. “We urge the provincial government to commit to genuine, nation-to-nation dialogue grounded in the recognition of First Nations’ jurisdiction, consent, and shared prosperity,” the Chiefs of Ontario said in a news release before the bill was tabled.
Sol Mamakwa, the New Democrat who represents the riding of Kiiwetinoong where the Ring of Fire is located, said the province is continuing its long tradition of dividing First Nations in order to conquer them. “Our lands are not for sale,” he said. “If you want to do any work, you’ve got to do the proper relationship process of acknowledging the treaties that we have with the Crown. We’re supposed to share the benefits of the resources that are there and this government has failed miserably over the last seven years.” Mamakwa warned the province’s rush to mine the north will meet resistance. “You cannot use a tariff war, a tariff issue with the United States of America to override the rights of the First Nations people that live in these lands,” he said.
The urgency surrounding natural resource development also stems from Trump’s musings about annexing Canada and making it the 51st state, both before and after his January inauguration. Trump’s comments were broadly downplayed as a joke at first. But in comments captured by a hot microphone and widely reported by Canadian media, former prime minister Justin Trudeau told a crowd of business leaders in early February that Trump’s threats are real and motivated by a desire to absorb our resources.
Prime Minister Mark Carney Vows to Speed Permits, Make Canada Energy Superpower
Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to make Canada the world’s “leading energy superpower” through a plan that includes establishing a single office that would decide on major projects within two years.
The Liberal Party leader said at a campaign stop in Calgary that his government would create a Major Federal Project Office with a “one project, one review” mandate. The aim would be to eliminate duplication of federal and provincial environmental assessments, speeding up reviews.
“We are going to aggressively develop projects that are in the national interest in order to protect Canada’s energy security, diversify our trade, and enhance our long-term competitiveness — all while reducing emissions,” Carney said in a statement. “We can lead the energy transition while ensuring affordable energy at home and building the strongest economy in the G-7.”
Canada ships some 4 million barrels of crude a day to the US — the vast majority of its production — and also relies on a pipeline that goes through midwestern states to supply provinces in the east. US President Donald Trump’s threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty have intensified pressure to accelerate projects that reduce its dependence on the US.
Carney’s rival in the April 28 election, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, has also pledged a single project office with a maximum timeline for decisions of one year. Poilievre has said
Indigenous communities would be involved at the outset of major projects, but Carney on Wednesday said Poilievre’s plan fails to account for Indigenous rights.