Ontario’s Mining Powerhouse: Jobs, Exports & The Push for Critical Minerals

✨ Ontario’s mining sector powers $24B GDP, 150K+ jobs & global supply chains — but faces big challenges. Can it stay competitive?

At the CEN CAN Expo in Thunder Bay (Sept 11, 2025), Priya Tandon, President of the Ontario Mining Association, delivered a State of the Ontario Mining Sector Report, highlighting the industry’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities as the province cements its role as a global mining powerhouse.

With record gold prices, lithium momentum, and critical mineral demand surging, Ontario is well-positioned to fuel the EV transition, clean energy technologies, and global supply chains. But trade uncertainty, permitting challenges, and workforce shortages loom large.

👉 Key highlights from the presentation include:

✅ $24 billion GDP contribution from 36 active mines in 2023

✅ $64 billion in exports — 1 in 4 Ontario export dollars comes from mining

✅ 22,000+ direct jobs + 130,000 in supply & services (wages nearly 2x provincial average)

✅ Ontario leads Canada in gold & nickel production, with lithium projects emerging fast

✅ $1B in exploration spending in 2023 — nearly 25% of Canada’s total

✅ Industry adoption of battery-electric mining equipment, automation & clean tech

✅ Over 140 active Indigenous agreements, with Indigenous workers making up 12% of the workforce

✅ Workforce renewal challenges: 21% of workers are 55+, while mining program enrollments fall

✅ Calls for streamlined “one project, one process” permitting and stronger investment policies

✅ Infrastructure and power grid upgrades are critical for Northern Ontario mining growth

The presentation underscores that Ontario mining is not only an economic engine, but also a leader in innovation, safety, Indigenous partnerships, and environmental responsibility.

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