Expanding Ontario’s Critical Minerals Processing Capacity Creates New Opportunities for Mining Talent
On September 18, the Government of Ontario announced an $11 million investment through the Critical Minerals Processing Fund (CMPF) to support Generation Mining’s new $410 million copper and palladium critical mineral processing complex in Marathon, Ontario
Marianne Hatzopoulou, Professor and Chair of the Civil and Mineral Engineering, was on hand to welcome Ministers Vic Fedeli and Stephen Lecce to the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus for the announcement and to deliver introductory remarks.
The Government of Ontario’s investment is part of the province’s plan to protect and expand Ontario’s domestic critical minerals supply chain and ensure that minerals mined in Ontario are processed and refined by Ontario workers.
The investment in Generation Mining demonstrates how building a complete mining supply chain in the province, from mining through processing and refining, can create new career opportunities for students at U of T and post-secondary institutions across Ontario.
“As Ontario looks to realize its mining potential, we believe that supporting the province’s mining talent pipeline is central to this work,” said Hatzopoulou.
U of T’s mineral engineering program, housed within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, Canada’s No. 1 engineering school, is helping prepare the next generation of engineers for Ontario’s mining sector. This fall, the program welcomed its largest incoming class to date.
“Our responsibility is to help [students] turn that interest into the knowledge and practical experience they need to build a career in the sector,” said Hatzopoulou.
Through the Lassonde Institute of Mining (LIM), the Lassonde Mineral Engineering program has expanded opportunities for students to learn at operating mine sites and meet people working in the industry. These experiences are helping spark students’ interest, preparing them for future careers, and addressing the predicted labour shortage facing the sector.
These experiences include the Greenstone Grind, a week-long engineering bootcamp held in February 2026 at Equinox Gold’s Greenstone Gold Mine in Geraldton, Ontario. Funded by the Ontario Mining Association, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Equinox, the inaugural program brought together 11 engineering students for this experiential learning opportunity. A reality series was produced to document the program and share students’ experiences, helping generate continued interest in the initiative and sector more broadly.
LIM also supports professionals already working in the sector through its Mining Industry Management Program (MIMP). Taught by leading practitioners, this upskilling program equips mining professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to grow their expertise and strengthen their capabilities. To date, it has trained over 800 mining professionals in Ontario and around the world. Earlier this year, the MIMP received funding through Natural Resources Canada to provide scholarships and training to professionals in four South American countries.
As Hatzopoulou noted, “Growing our critical minerals production and processing capacity depends on having the right people who can design and operate these facilities, improve their performance, and manage their environmental and societal impacts.”