Regulatory Corner - June 2022

- Ontario

Recent government economic policy direction in Ontario and government directed studies of waterpower potential in the Far North of the Province may drive long term need for new dams associated with mining and hydroelectric power in northwestern Ontario.

The Province’s 2022 Critical Minerals Strategy is focused on encouraging and enabling new mineral exploration and development of both traditional and new minerals, especially in Ontario’s roadless and remote Far North region.  While interest in the mineral potential of the Far North has been a topic of interest in the Province for more than 10 years, the recent focus on battery enabled electric vehicles and Ontario’s auto industry is driving renewed interest in accessing critical minerals important to these uses.

Details on Ontario’s Critical Minerals Strategy

Secondly, the Ontario government through the Province’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) directed Ontario Power Generation, the Province’s largest power producer and dam owner to work with the Ontario Waterpower Association to assess and report on hydroelectric power potential in Ontario’s Far North. The Report has been completed and submitted, but has not yet been publicly released.

Details on this IESO requested study