Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund

Organization: Manitoba Métis Federation - National Government of the Red River Métis
Description: The Manitoba Métis Federation will develop internal capacity to engage on critical minerals infrastructure projects, including by hosting engagement sessions, collecting Red River Métis traditional knowledge, and attending training session and conferences.
Amount funded: $150,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Nickel, cesium, lithium, copper, platinum, palladium
Location: Manitoba

Organization: Naha Dehe Park Corporation
Description: The Naha Dehe Park Corporation, a not-for-profit organization formed to co-manage Nahanni National Park Reserve with Parks Canada on behalf of the Naha Dehe Dene Band and the Dehcho First Nations, will undertake capacity-building activities through environmental guardian training to support the monitoring of environmental impacts associated with the construction of an all-season access road to the proposed Prairie Creek mine.
Amount funded: $150,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Zinc
Location: Nahanni Butte, Northwest Territories

Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: Kiciwapa Cree Nation will provide environmental monitoring training to members of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation who live in the community of Sherridon and will hire a part-time exploration manager to support community member participation in T2 Metals Inc.’s Sherridon project access road and exploration activities.
Amount funded: $75,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Copper, zinc
Location: Sherridon, Manitoba

Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: Kiciwapa Cree Nation (KCN) will hire a full-time community coordinator who will engage the project proponent on the development of exploration access roads within KCN’s traditional territory, as well as provide context and information on KCN’s consultation and accommodation protocol (to be developed) to ensure meaningful engagement with proponents.
Amount funded: $75,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Copper, zinc
Location: Sherridon, Manitoba

Organization: Osoyoos Indian Band
Description: Osoyoos Indian Band will undertake a community consultation process to ensure free, prior, and informed consent for the access road that will service the Record Ridge magnesium project, with a focus on the infrastructure’s impacts and requirements. Activities will include community information sessions and a final report that could inform future regulatory processes.
Amount funded: $49,952
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Magnesium
Location: Rossland, British Columbia

Organization: Fort Alexander Indian Band operating as Sagkeeng First Nation
Description: Sagkeeng First Nation will hire a full-time community coordinator and two part-time Sagkeeng First Nation youths to host community engagement sessions related to the selection of an access road route and to development activities for the Donner Lithium project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Fort Alexander, Manitoba

Organization: Selkirk First Nation
Description: Selkirk First Nation will provide land guardian training to First Nation staff and community members for the environmental monitoring of impacts related to the construction of an access road to the Casino mine.
Amount funded: $75,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Location: Pelly Crossing, Yukon

Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: Kiciwapa Cree Nation will  hire a consultant to deliver two training modules focused on engagement with critical minerals exploration companies and to support engagement on critical minerals exploration projects requiring the development of access roads in the Flin Flon–Snow Lake Greenstone belt of western central Manitoba.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Copper, nickel, zinc
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba

Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: Kiciwapa Cree Nation will hire a consultant to deliver two training modules focused on engagement with junior exploration companies and engage with critical minerals exploration companies about the development of access roads within KCN’s traditional territory.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper
Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba

Organization: Osoyoos Indian Band
Description: Osoyoos Indian Band will undertake a community engagement process to assess transmission line infrastructure that will service the Phoenix copper project. Activities will include community information sessions to discuss infrastructure-specific impacts, meetings with the proponent, and a final report to inform future regulatory processes for the transmission line infrastructure.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Copper
Location: Greenwood, British Columbia

Organization: Osoyoos Indian Band
Description: Osoyoos Indian Band will undertake a community engagement process to assess access road infrastructure that will service the Phoenix copper project. Activities will include community information sessions to discuss infrastructure- specific impacts, meetings with the proponent, and a final report to inform future regulatory processes for the access road infrastructure.
Amount conditionally approved:  Up to $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Copper
Location: Greenwood, British Columbia

Organization: Norway House Cree Nation
Description: Norway House Cree Nation will train community members to be involved in access road development for the Minago nickel mining project.
Amount funded: $75,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Nickel
Location: Grand Rapids, Manitoba

Organization: British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining Society
Description: British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining Society will develop a knowledge base and deliver an associated webinar to First Nations throughout British Columbia about clean energy battery storage (CEBS) applications in critical minerals projects.
Amount funded: $149,500
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical mineral: Nickel
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia

Organization: Métis National Council Secretariat Inc.
Description: Métis National Council will host a policy gathering to discuss Métis participation in critical minerals infrastructure projects.
Amount funded: $100,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Copper, cobalt, nickel, lithium
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Organization: Métis National Council Secretariat Inc.
Description: Métis National Council will develop a blueprint for setting up a Métis Investment Attraction and Review Agency to evaluate potential for Métis participation in critical minerals infrastructure projects.
Amount funded: $150,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Copper, potash, lithium
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Organization: Constance Lake First Nation
Description: Constance Lake First Nation will hire consultants and engage with stakeholders to inform development of a Clean Energy Needs Assessment to identify gaps in clean energy infrastructure for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite projects.
Amount funded: $75,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Phosphorus, graphite
Location: Constance Lake, Ontario

Organization: Constance Lake First Nation
Description: Constance Lake First Nation will hire consultants and engage with stakeholders to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a battery storage (BESS) SMART Grid System. The study will evaluate the economic viability, socio-economic impact, and potential for advancing this clean energy infrastructure to support critical minerals mining.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Phosphorus, graphite
Location: Constance Lake, Ontario

Organization: Constance Lake First Nation
Description: Constance Lake First Nation will hire consultants and engage with stakeholders to conduct a pre-feasibility study for a SMART Green Hydrogen System. The study will evaluate the economic viability, socio-economic impact, and potential for advancing this clean energy infrastructure for critical minerals mining, specifically the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite projects.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Launched in 2025; expected to be completed by March 31, 2026
Critical minerals: Phosphorus, graphite
Location: Constance Lake, Ontario

Organization: Animbiigoo Zaagi’ igan Anishinaabek
Description: Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek will form a project partnership and undertake community engagement to support free, prior, and informed consent for the proposed Greenstone Transmission Line upgrade project in relation to the Rock Tech Georgia Lake lithium mining project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Agreement signed
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Beardmore, Ontario

Organization: Aroland First Nation
Description: Aroland First Nation will form a project partnership and undertake community engagement to support free, prior, and informed consent for a proposed Greenstone Transmission Line upgrade in relation to the Rock Tech Georgia Lake lithium mining project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Agreement signed
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Aroland, Ontario

Organization: Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek
Description: Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (BNA) will form a project partnership and undertake community engagement to support free, prior, and informed consent for a proposed Greenstone Transmission Line upgrade in relation to the Rock Tech Georgia Lake lithium mining project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Agreement signed
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Sand Point First Nation, Ontario

Organization: Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek
Description: Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (BZA) will form a project partnership and undertake community engagement to support free, prior, and informed consent for a proposed Greenstone Transmission Line upgrade in relation to the Rock Tech Georgia Lake lithium mining project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Agreement signed
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Macdiarmid, Ontario

Organization: Ginoogaming First Nation
Description: Ginoogaming First Nation will form a project partnership and undertake community engagement to support free, prior, and informed consent for a proposed Greenstone Transmission Line upgrade in relation to the Rock Tech Georgia Lake lithium mining project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Agreement signed
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Ginoogaming First Nation Reserve, Ontario

Organization: Red Rock Indian Band
Description: Red Rock Indian Band will form a project partnership and undertake community engagement to support free, prior, and informed consent for a proposed Greenstone Transmission Line upgrade in relation to the Rock Tech Georgia Lake lithium mining project.
Amount funded: $50,000
Status: Agreement signed
Critical mineral: Lithium
Location: Nipigon, Ontario

Organization: Boney Creek Development Limited Partnership

Description: Boney Creek Development Ltd., the economic development arm of the Laxgalts’ap Village Government, will conduct site visits and host community engagement to share project information and collect feedback about local perspectives on the Anyox Hydroelectric Dam redevelopment project that will potentially service the Seabridge KSM copper mining project and the Avanti Kitsault molybdenum mining project.

Amount funded: $50,000

Status: Agreement signed

Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum

Location: Anyox, British Columbia

Organization: McLeod Lake Indian Band

Description: McLeod Lake Indian Band will undertake training on sampling methods that would inform the assessment of impacts to fish habitat resulting from a proposed transmission line that would power Defense Metals Corp.’s Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements mining project. McLeod Lake Indian Band will work with the University of Northern British Columbia and a fisheries biologist to organize and deliver the training.

Amount funded: $50,000

Status: Agreement signed

Critical mineral: Rare earth elements

Location: Chetwynd, British Columbia

Organization: Mushkegowuk Council

Description: Mushkegowuk Council, a regional political organization representing seven First Nations in northern Ontario, will support a community-led gathering with Mushkegowuk community members (from Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, Chapleau Cree, Taykwa Tagamou, Moose Cree, and Missanabie Cree) to discuss topics related to land, mining, and development in the region, including Ring of Fire mining and all-season access road developments, Indigenous rights, and community perspectives.

Amount funded: $75,000

Status: Agreement signed

Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, palladium, platinum

Location: Timmins, Ontario

Organization: Nibinamik First Nation

Description: Nibinamik First Nation will undertake preliminary community engagement to inform a Corridor Study that would evaluate the feasibility of bringing critical infrastructure to the Nibinamik community, including a transmission line, an all-weather road, and other utilities through an east- west, multi-use corridor. The study will look at linkages to the proposed Webequie Supply Road, Northern Road Link, and Marten Falls Community Access Road project and will be integral for the Nibinamik community to make informed decisions on supporting access to and development in their Homelands.

Amount funded: $50,000

Status: Agreement signed

Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, palladium, platinum

Locations: Summer Beaver, Thunder Bay and Toronto, Ontario

Organization: Dene Energy LP

Description: Dene Energy LP will engage with Indigenous groups, industry, and provincial officials to inform the feasibility of advancing development of a solar power plant and related power purchase agreement to supply clean energy to NexGen’s Rook 1 uranium mining project. The work is being completed by a local engineering firm, majority owned by Buffalo River Dene Nation.

Amount funded: $75,000

Status: Agreement signed

Critical mineral: Uranium

Locations: Saskatoon, Regina, Birch Narrows, and Buffalo River, Saskatchewan

Organization: Shoal Lake Cree Nation Wenotisiwin Development Corporation

Description: SLCN Wenotisiwin Development Corporation, the economic development arm of Shoal Lake Cree Nation, will develop a strategic plan for advancing biomass clean energy infrastructure to facilitate critical minerals exploration and production within their traditional territory. The strategic plan will include engagement strategies to seek industry investment from critical minerals proponents.

Amount funded: $74,667

Status: Agreement signed

Critical mineral: Vanadium

Location: Wenotisiwin, Saskatchewan

Organization: Treaty Creek Limited Partnership

Description: Treaty Creek Limited Partnership, a 50/50 limited partnership between the Tahltan Nation and the Nisga’a Nation, will engage with Seabridge and pursue and promote opportunities related to clean energy and transportation infrastructure to service the Seabridge KSM copper mining project.

Amount funded: $150,000

Status: Agreement signed

Critical mineral: Copper

Location: Northwest of Stewart, British Columbia

Organization: Cheslatta Carrier Nation

Description: Cheslatta Carrier Nation will undertake engagement activities (including meetings, online tools, and videos) regarding an initial comprehensive feasibility study being undertaken by Huckleberry Mines Ltd. (“Huckleberry”) that will evaluate an alternative shipping method for hauling copper concentrate from the Huckleberry copper mining revitalization project to tidewater.

Amount funded: $28,190

Status: Agreement signed

Critical mineral: Copper

Location: Southbank, British Columbia

Organization: FPX Nickel Corporation
Amount funded: $1,986,731
Critical minerals: Nickel, cobalt, copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Nechako region of central British Columbia

Organization: FPX Nickel Corporation
Amount funded: $1,544,697
Critical minerals: Nickel, cobalt, copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Nechako region of central British Columbia

Organization: Province of British Columbia
Amount funded: $74,999,572
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, zinc
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Northwestern British Columbia

Organization: Galore Creek Mining Corporation
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $20,000,000
Critical mineral: Copper
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Northwestern British Columbia

Organization: Yukon Development Corporation
Amount funded: Up to $39,926,869
Critical minerals: Cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, tungsten, zinc
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Locations: British Columbia and Yukon

Organization: Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $1,402,706
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Beardmore, Ontario

Organization: Green Technology Metals Limited
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $5,470,000
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Armstrong, Ontario

Organization: Generation PGM Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $771,100
Critical minerals: Platinum group metals, copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Marathon, Ontario

Organization: Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 1 Limited
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $2,374,925
Critical minerals: Chromium, cobalt, nickel, platinum group metals
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Timmins, Ontario

Organization: Canada Nickel Company Ltd.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $4,376,230
Critical minerals: Nickel, chromium, cobalt, platinum group metals
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Timmins, Ontario

Organization: Magna Mining Inc.
Amount funded: $964,100
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario

Organization: Magna Mining Inc.
Amount funded: $521,854
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario

Organization: Magna Mining Inc.
Amount funded: $109,429
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario

Organization: Frontier Lithium Inc.
Amount funded: $2,826,808
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Northwestern Ontario

Organization: Frontier Lithium Inc.
Amount funded: $3,206,344
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Northwestern Ontario

Organization: Government of the Northwest Territories
Amount funded: $25,000,000
Critical minerals: Bismuth, cobalt, copper, lithium, rare  earth elements, zinc
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Locations: North and South Slave regions of the Northwest Territories

Organization: McIlvenna Bay Operating Ltd.
Amount funded: $20,000,000
Critical minerals: Copper, zinc
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Pelican Narrows to McIlvenna Bay, Saskatchewan

Organization: Torngat Metals Ltd.
Amount funded: $9,995,216
Critical mineral: Rare earth elements
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Locations: Northern Quebec and Labrador

Organization: Fireweed Metals Corp.
Amount funded: Up to $12,877,688
Critical minerals: Gallium, germanium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Ross River, Yukon

Organization: Cbay Minerals Inc, a subsidiary of Cygnus Metals Limited
Amount funded: $1,276,033
Critical mineral: Copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Chibougamau, Quebec

Organization: Commerce Resources Corp.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $2,606,977
Critical minerals: Rare earth elements, fluorspar
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Kuujjuaq, Quebec

Organization: Critical Elements Lithium Corporation
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $20,000,000
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: James Bay, Quebec

Organization: Eskan Company
Amount funded: $13,499,060
Critical minerals: Lithium, copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec

Organization: Dumont Nickel LP, formerly Magneto Investments Limited Partnership
Amount funded: $1,049,500
Critical minerals: Nickel, cobalt
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Abitibi, Quebec

Organization: Sayona Nord Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $1,337,600
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec

Organization: Denison Mines Corp.
Amount funded: $4,534,315
Critical mineral: Uranium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

Organization: E3 Lithium Ltd.
Amount funded: $4,397,625
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Mountain View County, Alberta

Organization: Firefly Metals Canada Limited
Amount funded: $613,775
Critical mineral: Copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador

Organization: FNX Mining Company Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $839,000
Critical minerals: Copper, nickel, platinum group metals
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario

Organization: Huckleberry Mines Ltd.
Amount funded: $1,040,153
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Houston, British Columbia

Organization: Huckleberry Mines Ltd.
Amount funded: $899,601
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Houston, British Columbia

Organization: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $25,000,000
Critical minerals: Copper, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Northwestern British Columbia

Organization: Defense Metals Corp.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $835,825
Critical mineral: Rare earth elements
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Bear Lake, British Columbia

Organization: Boney Creek Development Ltd.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $736,778
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Anyox, British Columbia

Organization: Saskatchewan Power
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $18,075,000
Critical minerals: Copper, uranium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan

Organization: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $44,216,09
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Northwestern, British Columbia

Organization: British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $50,000,000
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Kamloops, British Columbia

Organization: Defense Metals Corp.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $1,878,250
Critical mineral: Rare earth elements
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Bear Lake, British Columbia