Greater Sudbury providing an answer to Canada’s critical minerals future

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Global demand for critical minerals is accelerating at a pace few sectors have experienced. The International Energy Agency projects that demand from clean energy technologies could quadruple by 2040. Other international analyses suggest even sharper increases for specific materials such as lithium, where demand could rise 40-times in the coming decades. At the same time, defence systems rely on rare earth elements for radar, satellites, guidance systems and advanced aircraft.

What was once treated by governments as primarily a trade matter now sits at the centre of national security, economic sovereignty, electrification and supply-chain resilience.

“Critical minerals are starting to occupy a geopolitical space previously reserved for fossil fuels,” says Heather Exner-Pirot, director of Energy, Natural Resources and Environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. “The scale of demand required for electrification and defence has forced governments to rethink minerals, not as a commodity issue but as a matter of economic and national security.”

She notes the risk is not only about where supply exists globally but where control over that supply is concentrated. For several key minerals, the mining, but especially the processing, is heavily concentrated in a small number of countries. This creates exposure to potential geopolitical disruptions where supply can be restricted or used as economic leverage.

“Countries that fail to secure reliable supply chains now are leaving themselves strategically vulnerable,” Dr. Exner-Pirot says. “Dependence on a single dominant supplier can quickly become a constraint on economic and industrial policy.”

Speed becomes a strategic factor

Simply having a wealth of geological riches no longer defines success. Speed to market is now equally essential, and established mining regions like Greater Sudbury play an outsized role.

“You cannot build supply-chain resilience on projects that won’t produce for 15 or 20 years,” Dr. Exner-Pirot explains. “Every country has rocks in the ground. What matters now is who can turn those resources into reliable supply – quickly, responsibly and at scale. Mature mining ecosystems allow countries to respond much faster, especially through expansions of existing operations. Many brownfield developments already have infrastructure, workforce, permits and community familiarity. Under today’s urgency, that’s a major advantage.”

Yet policy and investment decisions do not always align with that reality. Much focus remains on greenfield ventures, even as supply-chain pressures demand near-term production. The countries best positioned to respond quickly are those with established mining ecosystems already in operation.

A shift in thinking is increasingly visible at gatherings such as the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto, which brings together mining executives, investors and government officials from around the world. Conversations that once centred on exploration potential and resource plays now focus more heavily on critical minerals, supply-chain resilience and the ability to bring production online within realistic timeframes.

In that context, attention is moving toward jurisdictions that already have operating mines, infrastructure and skilled labour in place. The question is no longer only where minerals exist but where they can be delivered at scale, responsibly and without decade-long delays.

An established mining centre

Greater Sudbury offers a real-world example of what is needed – and how it can be delivered.

“Mining here isn’t a theoretical possibility,” says Paul Lefebvre, Mayor of Greater Sudbury. “We currently have nine active mines and will have 15 by 2030, five processing facilities, over 350 advanced supply and service companies, research institutes and training facilities, and a workforce that’s been doing this for generations. That existing ecosystem makes it easier – and up to decades faster – to move projects from planning into production. This area is clearly a special economic zone.”

Canada produces or has known deposits of 31 of the 34 minerals commonly found on global critical-minerals lists, and regions such as Sudbury are part of that breadth. The region is also central to North American nickel supply, a key material in many battery chemistries used in electric vehicles and energy storage. In contrast, the United States has only one primary nickel mine in operation and limited domestic smelting and refining capacity, meaning the nickel concentrate mined in North America is processed in Canada. This dynamic underscores Canada’s role in supporting secure supply chains for allied industries.

For investors, one of Sudbury’s defining strengths is its concentration of mining expertise and industry know-how. Sudbury is not a remote, fly-in, fly-out town; it is a city built around mining, with generations of families working in the sector.

“That stability gives investors confidence,” Mr. Lefebvre says. “People don’t come for a few years and leave. They live here, raise families and build careers. We have an experienced workforce already in place, and that allows Sudbury to respond quickly as global demand grows.”

The city’s quality of life also helps to attract and retain talent. Post-secondary institutions, health care, arts and culture, and a vibrant nightlife contribute to long-term workforce stability, a factor that investors weigh alongside infrastructure and geology.

Environmental and social responsibility

Decades of rehabilitation have transformed the region, with more than 40 million trees planted and over 330 lakes now supporting healthy ecosystems.

“Based on decisions made decades ago, Greater Sudbury shows how mining and environmental stewardship can coexist,” Mr. Lefebvre says. “When international delegations come here, they see proof that responsible mining is possible.”

The City of Greater Sudbury is situated on the traditional lands of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and Wahnapitae First Nation, signatories to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

“I am proud of the meaningful partnership that is developing between our municipality, our Indigenous communities and the leaders in the mining industry,” Mr. Lefebvre says. “We have seen many examples of key learnings and collaboration with Indigenous communities, from the start of exploration to reclamation. While there are some challenges faced by each party, the benefits of these partnerships have propelled the industry forward. We are honoured to collaborate with them in partnership and friendship toward a successful future for all partners.”

Lower execution risk

“Operating in Sudbury significantly reduces investor risk,” says Jason Jessup, CEO and director of Magna Mining. “You’re not building everything from scratch. The infrastructure is here, the suppliers are here, and the workforce has practical, site-tested expertise. That means capital can go into developing the resource rather than basic infrastructure, and projects face fewer unknowns once construction begins.”

Bringing a mine into production involves years of permitting, financing and infrastructure planning. In established regions, those processes unfold in an environment where regulators, service providers and communities are familiar with mining operations.

“In a place like Sudbury, projects can move forward in years rather than decades,” Mr. Jessup says. “There’s existing power, roads, processing capacity and a supply chain that understands how mines actually operate. That reduction in timeline and capital risk is exactly what investors are looking for right now.”

Innovation in operating conditions

Sudbury is also a proving ground for modern mining, with automation, electrification and digital technologies being tested in real operating conditions, shortening the path from development to deployment. That momentum is on full display during Global Mining Transformation Week (May 25 to 28), a collaborative initiative led by the City of Greater Sudbury in partnership with NORCAT and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI).

The week includes Mining Transformed, held with NORCAT, CEMI and MineConnect, which features the world’s only technology exhibition in an active underground mine. Rounding out the week, on May 28, the City of Greater Sudbury hosts the fourth annual BEV In‑Depth: Transforming the Critical Minerals Value Chain Conference, bringing together leaders from mining, automotive, battery technology, clean energy and government to strengthen Canada’s secure, sustainable mines‑to‑mobility battery supply chain.

Modern mining is far more technology-driven than people realize, explains Mr. Jessup. “When innovation is validated in working mines, companies can adopt it with more confidence. We export minerals, but we also export mining technology, know-how and innovation.”

A role in secure supply chains

As governments reassess dependence on concentrated supply chains, Canada’s role as a democratic supplier carries weight – but only if it can deliver at scale and on time.

For Mr. Lefebvre, Sudbury demonstrates that readiness. “Countries are coming here to see what modern mining can achieve. What they’re looking for is an established, secure and reliable supply chain they can access right now – and Sudbury is already set up to provide that.”

Advertising feature produced by Randall Anthony Communications with the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.