Investment from provincial Critical Minerals Processing Fund supporting nearly 500 permanent good-paying jobs while protecting Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $11 million through the Critical Minerals Processing Fund (CMPF) to support the construction of Generation Mining’s new $410 million copper and palladium processing complex in Marathon, Ontario. As the first recipient of the new CMPF, the facility represents a significant milestone for the province’s plan to protect and expand Ontario’s domestic critical minerals supply chain, as it equips Northwestern Ontario with the capability to convert raw ore into high-quality materials needed in a wide range of industrial applications in electrification, advanced manufacturing and defence. Once fully operational, the Marathon Project will create more than 450 new good-paying jobs in addition to the 800 jobs initially supported during the construction phase.
“As one of the most mineral-rich regions in the world, Northern Ontario plays a critical role in supporting the economic objectives and industrial capabilities of Canada and its allies,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By supporting Generation Mining’s Marathon Project, our government is protecting the resilience and self-reliance of the province’s critical mineral supply chain and delivering on its commitment to keep minerals mined in Ontario processed and refined in Ontario, by our world-class workers.”
Copper and palladium hold a wide range of industrial applications, making them increasingly important to Ontario’s economic future as demand for power transmission systems, electric vehicles, clean energy infrastructure and defence technologies continues to grow. By expanding production capacity of these two critical minerals, Generation Mining will address a critical domestic and international need for secure, reliable access to responsibly sourced materials, while serving as a significant catalyst for job creation and retention in Northwestern Ontario. The processing facility will also play a critical role in advancing the company’s broader $992 million Marathon Project.
“As President Trump attacks our economy, Ontario is fighting back by ending the ripping and shipping of our critical minerals and building the capacity to mine and process them right here at home,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines. “Our investment in Canadian-owned and operated Generation Mining’s Marathon copper-palladium project will create more than 800 construction jobs and 450 good-paying jobs in Marathon, while helping build an end-to-end, Made-in-Canada critical minerals supply chain. We are putting shovels in the ground faster, cutting through red tape and making sure Ontario’s critical minerals are mined, processed and kept in Canadian hands. No longer will it take 15 years to build a mine in Ontario—we are moving faster to build Ontario’s economy and protect our economic sovereignty.”
As jurisdictions around the world continue to navigate the volatility of U.S. tariffs, Generation Mining’s investment affirms Ontario’s leadership within the global critical mineral supply chain and reinforces the importance of developing domestic capabilities to allow for minerals mined in Ontario to be refined in Ontario, instead of being shipped to other jurisdictions. The new facility will attract new private capital projects to the province, while ensuring long-term employment and skills-development opportunities for local communities and partners.
“Marathon is one of the most advanced undeveloped copper-palladium projects in North America, and this support helps us finance the construction of the Marathon Project,” said Jamie Levy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Generation Mining. “I want to thank the Government of Ontario for standing behind the Project. Minister Lecce, Minister Fedeli and their teams, together with Invest Ontario, have been true partners through this process. We look forward to working with the Province and with Canada to build the next critical minerals mine in this country.”
Delivered through Invest Ontario, the $500 million CMPF is a key component of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and complements a suite of ongoing efforts to increase the competitiveness and resiliency of its mining and manufacturing sectors. By lowering taxes, cutting red tape, making strategic investments, speeding up approvals and championing local procurement, the government is positioning the province as the most attractive and competitive economy for growth and investment in the G7.
Quick Facts
- First announced in the 2025 Budget, the CMPF provides strategic financial support to projects that accelerate the province’s critical minerals processing capacity and made-in-Ontario critical minerals supply chain, to ensure that minerals mined in Ontario are processed in Ontario by Ontario workers.
- Ontario is one of the most mineral rich areas in the entire world, with vast reserves of nickel, graphite, copper, cobalt and lithium found in the Ring of Fire, an area almost 5,000 square kilometres located about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay. These critical minerals serve as key inputs in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, renewable energy solutions and other advanced technologies.
- The Fraser Institute ranked Ontario first in Canada and second in the world for mining investment.
- Ontario is Canada’s top mineral producer, generating $14.2 billion worth of minerals in 2025. The province’s broader mining sector supports 31,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs through associated mineral processing and supply services.
- The CMPF is delivered through Invest Ontario, the province’s investment attraction agency. Businesses looking to determine if their project is eligible for funding under the CMPF can engage with Invest Ontario through the agency’s website.
- Since its inception, Invest Ontario has announced over $15.6 billion in investments by companies, resulting in the creation of more than 14,100 jobs in the province.