Critical minerals in focus as major Toronto mining conference underway
Written by The Canadian Press on March 2, 2026
TORONTO — The securing and production of critical minerals is in focus this week as one of the world’s biggest mining conferences takes place in Toronto.
The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference, which counts over 27,000 attendees, comes as the push accelerates for countries to secure supplies of key metals amid rising global trade tensions.
In a keynote speech Monday, former Teck Resources Ltd. CEO Don Lindsay said politicians are finally working to help accelerate development of critical minerals.
He says the push comes as the industry is exposed to geopolitical risk like never before as supply chain vulnerability grows.
At the conference Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford released an accelerated schedule for construction of a road to develop the so-called Ring of Fire critical minerals region of northern Ontario.
Ford said that with U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs causing so much uncertainty, there is no time to waste.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s joint statement released Monday with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored a commitment to deepening partnerships in resource sectors.
The announcement included the two countries signing a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals value chains.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2026.
Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press