Canada’s mining sector is poised for increased investment, driven by rising demand for critical minerals and government support, according to BMO Global Metals & Mining. The bank’s outlook comes ahead of a summit aiming to attract C$1 trillion in total investment for Canada over the next five years. Critical minerals are a core focus for this capital.
Canada already ranks as the world’s top potash producer and second-largest uranium producer. It also stands as the fourth-largest gold producer and aluminum refiner. Companies plan about C$120 billion for projects in Natural Resources Canada’s 10-year outlook as of 2025. This marks a C$50 billion increase from the 2018 outlook.
BMO Equity Research predicts Canadian development capital spending will climb more than 11% over the next two years. BMO also expects mining firms to spend C$350 billion on operations and growth projects in Canada over the next five years. The bank recommends shifting investment towards downstream activities like copper smelting and rare earth separation to create complete supply chains.
Infrastructure investment remains key to opening new mining areas, including gold, nickel, and lithium projects across the country. Government intervention, such as targeted price supports, may be needed for some critical mineral supply chains. Separating infrastructure funding from mine development could draw specialized funds and lower capital costs. Canada’s C$4.5 trillion pension fund, currently under-allocated domestically, offers a potential source for this infrastructure and mining capacity.