Ontario ‘scales up' Critical Minerals Innovation Fund to strengthen mining supply chain

CTV News

24-07-2025

Ontario boosts its Critical Minerals Innovation Fund with $7 million to cut the industry's reliance on the U.S. by supporting mining supply chains.
The provincial government is providing $7 million for a new round of the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF). It's meant to help strengthen and secure mining supply chains so they're not so dependent on the United States.
Politicians and stakeholders were at Science North in Greater Sudbury on Wednesday when Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, announced the launch of the new intake for private sector businesses.
Leece said it will help stimulate investment in critical minerals exploration, mining development, production and processing of domestically sources critical minerals.
'Our idea is to scale up which is why we're adding additional funding and making a commitment to maintain this program, not just for this year but for the year to come,' said Lecce.
'We're doing that because ultimately innovation is what's going to drive down cost, it's going to increase competitiveness and the productivity of our mines,' he added.
Lecce said the province wants to strengthen a made-in-Canada supply chain that attracts investment and creates good-paying jobs at home, which will in turn reduce reliance on the U.S. He added, that to do that, the province needs to embrace innovation and technologies.
The Mirarco Mining Innovation is a past recipient of the critical mineral funding, which Nadia Mykytczuk, the company's president and CEO, said allowed them to unlock value from mine waste that can drive battery metal production.
Nadia Mykytczuk
Nadia Mykytczuk, the president and CEO of Mirarco Mining Innovation, talks at a press event at Science North in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 23, 2025, about the Ontario Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario)
She added the future of the mining industry depends not only on what Ontario extracts, but how it innovates.
'Together we can pilot technologies moving them from the lab and into mine sites,' she said. 'These collaborations, backed by strong government support like the CMIF are what make progress possible.'
'If not us then really who?' said Chris Scott, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy and Mines, and the MPP for Sault Ste. Marie.
'Global demand for these critical minerals is only going up. With recent developments such as the rising U.S. tariffs and increasing pressures on international supply chains. Ontario's role in securing a stable domestic supply has never been more important,' Scott added.
'Ensuring that the future such as batteries, semi-conductors, clean energy technologies and so much more depends on the minerals we have right here in Northern Ontario and the know-how we have in Greater Sudbury,' said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre.
Leece announcement at SN
Leaders, politicians and industry stakeholders at a press event at Science North in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 23, 2025, where Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce, announced $7 million for the province's Critical Minerals Innovation Fund. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario)
The fund contributes a maximum of 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to $500,000 per project. Applications will be accepted until Oct 1.
When the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund first launched in 2022, 20 Ontario-based projects were funded. Lecce said those are making a difference. He said he suspects, given the trade dispute with the U.S., the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund will attract a lot of interest from applicants all across Ontario.