Ontario Accelerates Major Gold Mine Project with Streamlined Permitting System
In a significant move to bolster economic development, Ontario's Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce has announced the fast-tracking of Kinross Gold Corporation's Great Bear Project, a massive gold mining initiative in northwestern Ontario. The project, valued at over $5 billion, is being expedited under the provincial government's newly implemented "One Project, One Process" (1P1P) framework, aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays and attracting investment.
Details of the Great Bear Project
The Great Bear Project is situated approximately 24 kilometres southeast of Red Lake, a region with a rich mining heritage. This high-grade gold mine will feature both open-pit and underground operations, with an initial mine life projected at 12 years. At peak production, it is expected to yield more than 500,000 ounces of gold annually, contributing to an estimated total of 5.3 million ounces during its initial phase. The project promises to create over 1,000 jobs during operations, with peak employment reaching 1,100 workers, and thousands more indirect positions during construction.
Major construction is slated to begin in 2027, with production targeted for 2029. Early site work and infrastructure planning are already underway, including connections to nearby power lines and a natural gas pipeline. The project is also linked to broader regional development efforts, such as consultations on the proposed Red Lake Transmission Line, which aims to support new mines and growing communities in the area.
Streamlining Permits with One Project, One Process
Minister Lecce emphasized that the old permitting system, which could take up to 15 years to approve a mine, was hindering progress. The 1P1P framework, launched in October, seeks to cut permit timelines by 50% by designating the Ministry of Energy and Mines as a single point of contact for all provincial approvals and Indigenous consultations. This approach aims to provide certainty, predictability, and speed for large-scale projects.
"What we are doing again this year is standing up for our country," Lecce stated at a news conference in Mississauga. "We're sending a message that we can be bold, we can be ambitious, we can move with speed, we can do it in the national interest at a time when our country is under attack." He described Ontario as an "island of stability" in an uncertain global economy, positioning the province as a reliable partner for investment.
Economic and Indigenous Considerations
Ontario is already Canada's top mineral producer, with 37 active mines, including 19 gold operations, supporting 28,000 direct jobs and generating $13 billion in annual mineral production. The Great Bear Project is expected to significantly enhance these figures. Kinross CEO J. Paul Rollinson welcomed the 1P1P designation, calling it a milestone that reflects Ontario's leadership in fostering responsible mining investment. He described Great Bear as a "generational asset" poised to become one of Canada's largest and most profitable gold mines.
The province has reaffirmed its commitment to Indigenous consultation under the new framework, offering a more coordinated and transparent approach. Support includes a $70 million Indigenous Participation Fund and $3.1 billion in loan guarantees through the Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program to facilitate equity participation and partnerships.
Broader Implications for Ontario's Economy
Lecce framed the project as part of a larger strategy to build self-reliance and economic resilience. "At a time of global economic uncertainty, Ontario is choosing to build — to build faster, to build more at home, and to build Canada's self-reliance," he said. The fast-tracking of the Great Bear Project underscores the government's intent to demonstrate that world-class projects can be developed efficiently and in collaboration with stakeholders.
This initiative marks the first gold mine and third overall project accepted under the 1P1P system, signaling a shift towards more agile regulatory processes in Ontario's mining sector.
