Ontario Invests in 68 New Mines of the Future to Bolster Self-Reliance

March 19, 2026

Province supporting the next generation of mineral discoveries to build made-in-Ontario supply chains, create jobs and unlock economic growth in the North

Today, as part of its plan to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, the Ontario government is boosting the critical minerals and mining sectors by supporting 68 early exploration projects through the Ontario Junior Exploration Program. This investment will help junior exploration companies and licensed prospectors find the mines of the future by covering eligible costs for mineral exploration and development, supporting 71 jobs across northern and rural communities and generating an estimated $18 million in total economic output.

Ontario recently launched consultations to modernize its Critical Mineral Strategy, with a focus on strengthening the mining sector by reducing red tape and investing in early mineral exploration. The province’s plan will help unlock untapped economic potential, bolster Canadian self-reliance, boost job creation and secure made-in-Ontario supply chains, while reinforcing our leadership as the number one jurisdiction in Canada in exploration and deposit appraisal expenditures.

“To boost Canada’s self-reliance, Ontario is investing heavily in early exploration to build a pipeline for new mines and new jobs,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “We overhauled our permitting system, while investing heavily in early exploration, resulting in Ontario emerging in the top spot for early exploration investment and Canada’s most attractive mining investment jurisdiction. Ontario’s new Critical Minerals Strategy will further double down on early exploration to lay the groundwork for the next generation of mines, good-paying jobs and economic growth across northern Ontario. As we face headwinds of uncertainty, Ontario is accelerating responsible resource development to fortify our supply chains, workforce, and economy at this critical time.”

As the world looks for stable, responsible sources of critical minerals, Ontario’s leadership in responsible resource development is unlocking new economic opportunities and investment across northern Ontario. Early-stage mineral exploration carries significant uncertainty, with only about a one in 1,000 chance of exploration projects becoming a mine. The high costs, long timelines and challenges of working in remote and rugged regions make it difficult for junior companies and prospectors to attract private investment needed to move projects forward.

The OJEP program covers up to 50 per cent of eligible costs for exploration and development projects. With the addition of the new funding stream and the enhanced Indigenous Participation funding, prospectors will now be eligible to receive up to $65,000 per project (including enhanced Indigenous Participation Support) and junior mining companies will be eligible to receive up to $215,000 per project (including enhanced Indigenous Participation Support). Ontario’s strategic support at this stage helps reduce these barriers and positions Ontario to unlock the new mineral deposits that will drive long-term growth. Today’s investment builds on the $30 million invested in previous rounds of OJEP funding that have helped 213 mining companies finance early exploration projects, with 165 focused on critical minerals.

“Ontario’s mineral independence is a cornerstone of our economic sovereignty, and programs like OJEP are essential to maintaining it,” said Steve Virtue, President and CEO of Ontario Prospectors Association. “By supporting the early-stage exploration work that drives discovery, this investment ensures our mining pipeline stays strong and our competitive edge stays sharp.”

OJEP is a key initiative in the government’s plan to update its Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy to position the province as a reliable global supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals and build fully integrated, made-in-Ontario supply chains. As the global demand for critical minerals needed to manufacture batteries, modern defence technologies and advanced manufacturing continues to grow, Ontario has the deposits, skilled workforce, expertise and business-friendly investment climate to secure the province’s place as the most competitive jurisdiction in the G7 to invest, create jobs and do business.

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