Canada to Unlock Critical Minerals Development in Northern Ontario with New Funding

The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) is Natural Resources Canada’s flagship program under the Critical Minerals Strategy to support enabling clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to increase Canada’s supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals, and the development of domestic and global value chains for the green and digital economy. 

With the launch of the Critical Minerals Strategy in December 2022, the Government of Canada signalled the need for strategic investments in clean energy and transportation infrastructure to realize Canada’s critical mineral potential. To contribute to the implementation of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, Budget 2022 proposed up to $1.5 billion over seven years, starting in 2023–24, for infrastructure investments to support expanded sustainable critical mineral production and unlock critical mineral rich regions.

The projects announced today include:

Green TM Resources Canada Ltd

Green TM Resources Canada Ltd is planning to upgrade 112 kilometres of existing roads and replace three bridges to support the development of a lithium mine near Armstrong, Ontario. The road improvements would link the future Seymour Lithium Project mine site to existing road infrastructure, provide a route for non-residential traffic to bypass local residential areas and support a significant increase in Canada’s lithium supply, which is an essential component in the battery supply chain. These road improvements would be integral to advancing critical minerals development in Ontario, in partnership with the Whitesand First Nation. Pending final due diligence, Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved an investment of up to $5.5 million under the CMIF for this project. 

Rock Tech Lithium Inc.

Rock Tech Lithium Inc. is planning to upgrade and extend a 10-kilometre access road and bridge north of Nipigon, Ontario, that would enable the transportation of lithium from its Georgia Lake Project mine site, an open pit and underground mine in advanced exploration. The project has the potential to increase lithium production in Northern Ontario, a region of strategic importance, and to contribute to the development of the domestic electric vehicle value chain. Pending final due diligence, Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved an investment of up to $1.4 million under the CMIF for this project. 

Frontier Lithium Inc.

Frontier Lithium Inc. is planning two projects to develop the Pakeagama (PAK) Lithium Project in Northwestern Ontario. They plan to undertake preconstruction and project development activities, including Indigenous engagement, for a 56-kilometre, two-lane access road that would link the PAK resource to the Ontario highway system. They also plan to conduct studies related to engineering, design and permitting for a substation and transmission line to enable grid connection to the Wataynikaneyap (Watay) Power transmission line. These projects in combination have the potential to increase access and electrification to the region, and once completed, the grid connection would help to support the development and decarbonization of the PAK Lithium Project. Pending final due diligence, Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved two investments for a total of up to $6.1 million under the CMIF for these projects.

Generation PGM Inc

Generation PGM Inc. is planning to complete engineering, design work and feasibility studies for road and rail links to support the movement of copper from its mining project located near Marathon, Ontario, to smelters. As part of this work, they intend to upgrade the five-kilometre site access road and develop a new, four-kilometre access road and a transload facility to transfer concentrates. Pending final due diligence, Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved an investment of up to $771,100 under the CMIF for this project.