The federal government has announced just under $14 million in funding for five critical minerals infrastructure developments in Northwestern Ontario.

The funding, which is pending final due diligence from Natural Resources Canada, would be provided through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).

This investment would include:

• $5.5 million to Green TM Resources Canada Ltd. to upgrade 56 kilometres of existing roads and replace three bridges to support the development of a lithium mine near Armstrong, Ontario, and bypass residential communities.
• $1.4 million to Rock Tech Lithium Inc. to upgrade and extend a 10-kilometre access road north of Nipigon, Ontario, that would enable the transportation of lithium from its Georgia Lake Project mine site, an open pit and underground mine.
• $6.1 million to Frontier Lithium Inc. to advance Indigenous engagement and engineering for a 56- kilometre all-season road and electricity infrastructure for the Pakeagama (PAK) Lithium Project in Northwestern Ontario.
• $771,100 to Generation PGM Inc. to undertake an engineering and design work for a five-kilometre access road, as well as feasibility studies for additional road and rail links to support the movement of copper concentrates from its Marathon Project to smelters and refiners.

"These projects, under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy's flagship program, will develop the necessary infrastructure to access and transport our rich critical mineral resources in Northwestern Ontario to market,” said federal Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. “Developments like these help mines get built faster, and they are a key element in seizing the generational opportunity before us. These investments complement the long history and deep expertise of the region in mining, create good jobs in Ontario and drive economic growth, now and into the future."

Frontier Lithium says it will use its funding to support the development of two projects.

One project is the preconstruction activities, including environmental studies, for an all-season, 56-kilometre, two-lane mine access road that would link the PAK lithium project to the provincial highway system.

The second project will conduct engineering, design and permitting studies for a substation and transmission line to enable grid connection from the PAK Lithum project to the Wataynikaneyap Power transmission line.

"We are thrilled to receive this funding for the advancement of an all-season road and electricity infrastructure in the region of our PAK Lithium Project,” said Trevor Walker, President and CEO. “As we move forward on our path to building the first fully integrated lithium mining-and-processing operation in Ontario, we know our objectives align nicely with that of the Critical Mineral Infrastructure fund – to address infrastructure gaps, reduce emissions, and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples."

The government developed the CMIF to address infrastructure gaps, enable critical minerals production and connect resources to markets through various clean energy, electrification and transportation infrastructure projects.