(Ontario) Recovery of Minerals regulation

The Recovery of Minerals regulation, entering into force on July 1, 2025, aims to facilitate the recovery of residual metals and minerals from mine waste at operating, closed, or abandoned mine sites in Ontario. Key components of the regulation include:  

• Innovation and Economic Growth: Encourages the use of advanced technologies to unlock economic value from materials previously considered waste, creating jobs and fostering innovation.
• Critical Minerals: Focuses on recovering critical minerals like lithium, platinum, and cobalt, which are essential for technologies such as electric vehicle batteries and smartphones.
• Streamlined Process: Simplifies the application process for permits, allowing reprocessing of mine waste without the need for a full closure plan or mining lease for public land projects.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Protection: Ensures that recovery activities comply with all applicable health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Consultations: Developed after extensive consultations with industry, the public, and Indigenous communities.

This regulation is part of Ontario's broader Critical Minerals Strategy, aimed at securing a sustainable supply of critical minerals and driving economic growth.

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