Ontario Fast-Tracks One of Canada’s Premier Gold Mines Under ‘One Project, One Process’

February 17, 2026

Kinross Gold’s Great Bear Project will support more than 1,000 jobs, strengthen made-in-Ontario supply chains

Today, Minister Stephen Lecce announced the Ontario government is accelerating Kinross Gold Corporation’s Great Bear Project under the ‘One Project, One Process’ framework, the first gold mine and the third project overall to be accepted under the new framework launched this past October. As part of its plan to protect Ontario workers and communities, the government is unlocking the full potential of the province’s metals and mining sector through the new framework, with this project marking another key step in building a fully integrated and self-reliant mining supply chain. The project represents a more than $5 billion capital investment and is expected to create 900 jobs during its operational life, with peak employment reaching 1,100 workers. Thousands of additional construction and indirect jobs will also be created during the build-out phase in 2027 to 2029, delivering new economic opportunities to the region.

“At a time of global economic uncertainty, Ontario is choosing to build — to build faster, to build more at home, and to build Canada’s self-reliance,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Ontario is proud to designate this project under ‘One Project, One Process,’ unlocking one of Canada’s largest mines that will create over 1,000 jobs good-paying jobs. By fast-tracking Kinross Gold’s Great Bear Project, we’re getting shovels in the ground, proving that world-class projects can be built with speed and in partnership. Ontario’s accelerated permitting regime, reliable energy, and skilled workforce is positioning our province as the world’s most attractive and predictable investment opportunity.”

Located 24 kilometres southeast of Red Lake in northwestern Ontario, a town with a long mining history, the Great Bear Project is a high-grade combined open-pit and underground mine with an initial mine life of 12 years. This project is cornerstone of Kinross’ global development portfolio and has potential to become one of Canada’s premier gold operations. Kinross’ preliminary economic assessment outlines a high-grade operation producing an average of over 500,000 ounces of gold per year at its peak and a potential for 5.3 million ounces of initial production, with longer-term expansion potential supported by an ongoing regional exploration program.

Leran more