Ontario Plans C$3.1B Indigenous Mining Participation Boost

The Ontario government announced a nearly C$3.1 billion investment to boost Indigenous participation in the mining sector, aiming to accelerate critical minerals production in the province. Most of the funds will support loan guarantees enabling Indigenous business groups to invest directly in mining projects, alongside grants and scholarships for Indigenous students pursuing mining and resource development careers. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to build a made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain, fostering Indigenous equity partnerships and addressing regulatory delays that have hindered mining development. The government plans to triple loan guarantees through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program and invest $70 million over four years to enhance Indigenous capacity to engage in regulatory processes related to mineral exploration. Ontario officials emphasize that this approach promotes economic self-reliance, investor certainty, and positions the province as a global hub for critical mineral development. Indigenous groups have increasingly secured royalty agreements and ownership stakes in mining projects, reflecting their growing role in the industry.