Ontario’s minerals sector

The Ontario advantage

Ontario’s rich mineral resources make us a global leader in mining and exploration. Our mining industry is a major economic engine that supports local economies in every corner of the province. Mineral production in Ontario supports:

• 31,000 direct jobs
• 46,000 indirect jobs associated with mineral processing and mining supply and services

We understand the changing perspective of the investment community, including meeting our environmental, sustainable and governance (ESG) objectives. We are committed to creating a safe and profitable investment climate that helps investors meet their ESG goals.

Mineral activities

• High level information on the exploration activities in Ontario such total exploration spending highlights, spending by mineral type and mining lands activity.
• High level information on the production activities in Ontario such as total production value highlights, production details of select minerals and capital market facts.

Minerals and geoscience

Ontario is a leader in innovative geoscience information. If you explore in Ontario, you’ll have access to a wide range of free, online information. Our online resources include publications, maps, drill hole data and more.

Map of Ontario geology

Ontario is home to a diverse geology with vast regions of high mineral potential waiting to be explored.

Bedrock geology from Ontario Geological Survey (2011)

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View a larger version of this map (PDF)

Commodities

Learn more about our commodities.

Critical minerals

Several critical minerals are produced in Ontario, including:

Other critical minerals were produced in the past, have exploration or development potential, such as:

Ontario’s varied geology provides numerous critical mineral exploration opportunities.

In March 2022, Ontario released its first-ever Critical Minerals Strategy to help drive investment, reduce red tape and create jobs, while maintaining public health and safety and respecting the environment.

Indigenous partnerships

We collaborate on resource development projects to help advance reconciliation and encourage Indigenous communities, industry and other partners to work together towards a shared understanding of local projects.

Read our:

• Consultation framework: implementing the duty to consult with Aboriginal communities on mineral exploration and mine production in Ontario
• Statement on community-proponent agreements

We offer initiatives that support skills training, capacity-building and improved economic development opportunities, such as:

• Aboriginal Participation Fund
• Resource revenue sharing with Indigenous communities

Claim registration

You can register a mining claim online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We register and manage mining lands through the online Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS).

To access MLAS, you must first hold a valid prospector’s licence and create an account.

With MLAS you can:

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view active unpatented mining claims

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register a new mining claim

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manage your mining claims

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buy or renew your prospector’s licence

Mining supply and services

Hundreds of Ontario companies supply Ontario’s mining industry. Many Ontario companies have successfully grown into competitive global suppliers of leading-edge technologies.

These suppliers:

• meet the high-quality standards set by the Ontario mining industry
• provide excellent services to clients worldwide
• service markets across Canada, the United States and throughout the world

Mining companies operating in Ontario

Some of the world’s largest mining companies operate in Ontario. Ontario produces approximately:

• 43% of Canada’s gold production by value
• 59% of Canada’s nickel production by value
• 43% of Canada’s copper production by value
• 56% of Canada’s cobalt production by value
• 81% of Canada’s platinum group elements production by value

These companies benefit from a range of provincial support programs, including programs to help manage the energy costs associated with mineral production and processing.

Tax incentives and business supports

Through tax incentives and targeted business supports, we help companies across all phases of the mining sequence leverage opportunities to invest in and promote their mineral and mining projects.

Our team is always available to help foreign companies understand investment and development opportunities in Ontario’s mining sector. Email us at invest.north@ontario.ca to explore the possibilities.

Upcoming events

We participate in global mining conferences throughout the year. Check back often for updates on where you can find us.

Central Canada’s Resource Expo (Cen-Can): September 10–11, 2025

The Central Canada Resource Expo, known as the CEN-CAN Expo, brings members of the mining, energy and construction industries together to network, exchange ideas and co-operate between industries. Onsite demos, presentations, a job fair along with over 300 exhibits makes this event a must attend.

Cen-Can will occur in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Northeastern Ontario Mines and Minerals Symposium (NEOMMS): October 6–8, 2025

The Northeastern Ontario Mines and Minerals Symposium targets prospectors, geologists, junior exploration companies, major mining companies, students and geoscience professionals in the mining industry. It educates, promotes and generates awareness about mineral exploration activities in Northeastern Ontario and supports the growth of the mining industry.

NEOMMS will occur in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

International Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC): October 21–23, 2025

IMARC is Australia’s premier mining investment event, connecting miners with investors and investment opportunities and collaborating on trends in mining, investment and innovation towards a sustainable future.

IMARC will occur in Sydney, Australia.

Xplor Quebec: October 27–30, 2025

Xplor Quebec brings together investors, junior exploration and mining companies interested or already involved in the mineral exploration industry.

Xplor Quebec will occur in Montreal, Quebec.

Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention (CCMEC): November 3-4, 2025

The event will showcase innovation and advancement by bringing together stakeholders in the mineral exploration and mining industry in central Canada, including:

• investment firms
• exploration and mining companies
• Indigenous groups
• government officials
• prospectors
• environmental, social, governance (ESG) organizations
• suppliers
• academic institutions

The CCMEC conference will occur in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

International Metals Symposium (IMS): November 30–December 1, 2025

Hosted by The Northern Miner, The International Metals Symposium is the space where big leaders and investors come together to share ideas and discover the projects that will be the next producers.

IMS will occur in London, United Kingdom.

Resourcing Tomorrow – Mines and Money: December 2–4, 2025

Mines and Money @ Resourcing Tomorrow conference covers the entire mining value chain from fostering strategic partnerships and facilitating the development of groundbreaking solutions.

Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) Roundup Conference: January 26–29, 2026

AME Roundup is an opportunity for the mineral exploration industry to connect, exchange ideas and inspire new exploration projects.

AME Roundup Conference will occur in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference: March 1–4, 2026

PDAC is one of the world’s premier technical mineral exploration and mining conventions. It attracts over 25,000 participants from more than 135 countries.

Ontario will be attending the PDAC 2026 conference in Toronto, Ontario. Visit the Ontario pavilion.