Ontario Launches New Investment to Boost Critical Minerals Exploration
Province launches new funding streams and boosts Indigenous participation support as part of its $10 million investment to accelerate critical minerals exploration across Ontario.
Thunder Bay, ON — The Ontario government is unlocking new opportunities in the mining sector with a $10 million investment to support early-stage exploration of critical minerals across the province. The funds will be distributed through the 2025 intake of the Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP), aimed at accelerating the discovery of the minerals that will power electric vehicles, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.
“This is how we unlock Ontario’s economic potential,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “We are cutting permitting timelines, supporting Indigenous participation, and helping prospectors and junior mining companies get boots on the ground to discover tomorrow’s major projects.”
What’s New in the 2025 OJEP Intake?
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New Prospector Stream: Licensed Ontario prospectors can now receive up to $50,000 per project, plus an additional $15,000 for Indigenous participation support, totaling $65,000 in potential funding.
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Enhanced Indigenous Participation Funding: Support for Indigenous-led opportunities and partnerships has increased, reinforcing the government’s commitment to shared prosperity.
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Larger Funding Envelopes for Junior Miners: Companies can now receive up to $215,000 per project, helping to offset the high risks of early exploration.
Applications opened on July 3 and will close on July 31, 2025, with funding awarded on a first-come, first-served basis through the Transfer Payment Ontario portal.
Fueling Ontario’s Mining Future
With only about 1 in 1,000 exploration projects becoming a mine, early-stage exploration remains risky. By absorbing part of the cost, Ontario hopes to keep the province competitive, especially as global demand for rare earth elements, lithium, gallium, and other critical minerals rises.
The investment complements Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy, a multi-year plan that includes:
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$35 million in exploration funding (2024–2025)
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$500 million Critical Minerals Processing Fund
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Over $3.1 billion in support for Indigenous participation, partnership, and ownership
Ontario’s mining sector contributes roughly $14.4 billion annually to GDP and supports 74,000 jobs. This initiative is expected to bolster economic growth and improve resilience amid mounting U.S. tariffs and global supply chain pressures.
What Leaders Are Saying
“By enhancing support through the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, we are empowering Indigenous partners to play a leading role in developing the province’s world-class critical mineral resources.”
— Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation
“This is about more than just mining—it’s about securing a made-in-Ontario supply chain.”
— Kevin Holland, MPP Thunder Bay–Atikokan
“OJEP fuels more than discovery; it drives activity across the entire mining supply chain.”
— Marla Tremblay, Executive Director, MineConnect
Supporting Clean Energy and Economic Security
As nations seek reliable, ethical sources of critical minerals, Ontario is positioning itself as a global leader. With vast untapped reserves in areas like the Ring of Fire, and growing partnerships with Indigenous communities and industry, the province is laying the groundwork for sustainable economic development and clean technology leadership.
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