Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund
Advancing clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects
The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) will provide up to $1.5 billion in federal funding until 2030 for clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. The CMIF currently offers two avenues for support:
- Grants to support Indigenous engagement, participation and capacity building related to infrastructure projects that would enable critical minerals development
- Contribution funding for preconstruction activities and shovel-ready infrastructure projects
Indigenous Grants Program
Closed for applications
Funding available: The first call for proposals closed on December 31, 2024 and will provide up to $3.5 million in grant funding to eligible engagement projects.
Status: This call for proposals is closed. A second call for proposals will open in 2025.
Contribution funding
Open for applications
Funding available: This call for proposals will provide up to $500 million in contribution funding to projects in two funding streams (preconstruction and shovel-ready).
Application deadline:
- June 27, 2025 for Stream 1 – Preconstruction
- March 4, 2026 for Stream 2 – Shovel ready
Impact to date
Launched in 2023, the first CMIF call for proposals provided contribution funding to preconstruction and shovel-ready projects. Through these projects, the CMIF is building a strong critical minerals production pipeline while accelerating mining development, improving environmental performance of mining operations, facilitating market access for critical minerals and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
15 critical minerals represented*
bismuth, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorspar, gallium, germanium, lithium, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, rare earth elements, tungsten, uranium, zinc
31 energy and transportation infrastructure projects announced
new access roads, road upgrades, grid connection/transmission lines
6
shovel-ready
projects
25
preconstruction projects
11
transportation infrastructure projects
16
energy infrastructure projects
4
energy and transportation infrastructure projects
Up to $303 million conditionally approved in announced CMIF funding contributions
Statistics as of March 3, 2025
*Critical minerals supported by future calls may differ
Funded projects
Under the CMIF, the following projects have received funding or are conditionally approved for funding through the Indigenous Grants or Contributions funding programs.
Indigenous Grants
Up to $1.5 million under the CMIF Indigenous Grants program for 18 projects to increase Indigenous engagement, capacity building and knowledge gathering and sharing activities related to clean energy and transportation projects that would enable critical minerals development.
Internal Capacity to Engage on Critical Mineral Projects
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
Guardianship Training for Prairie Creek Access Road
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
Collaborative Participation in Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Development for the Sherridon Copper-Zinc Project
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 members’ 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
Meaningful Engagement and Participation in Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Development
Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: Kiciwapa Cree Nation 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 a 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
Record Ridge Magnesium Mining Project Access Road
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 impacts and requirements for the infrastructure. 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: Greenwood, British Columbia
Meaningful Participation in Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Development for the Donner Lithium Project
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 youth 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 minerals: Lithium
Location: Fort Alexander, Manitoba
Casino Project Access Road
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
Meaningful Engagement and Participation in Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Development with Voyageur Minerals
Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: The objective is to 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
Meaningful Engagement and Participation in Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Development for the Wine Project
Organization: Kiciwapa Cree Nation Association Inc.
Description: The objective is to 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
Osoyoos Indian Band – Phoenix Copper Mine Transmission Lines
Organization: Osoyoos Indian Band
Description: The objective is to 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
Osoyoos Indian Band – Phoenix Copper Mine Access Road
Organization: Osoyoos Indian Band
Description: The objective is to 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
Access Road Planning and Infrastructure Training and Development for the Minago Mickel Project
Organization: Norway House Cree Nation
Description: The objective is to 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
Applications of Clean Energy Battery Storage (CEBS) Systems in Critical Mineral Exploration and Mining in B.C.
Organization: British Columbia First Nations Energy and Mining Society
Description: The objective is to develop a knowledge base and deliver an associated webinar to First Nations throughout British Columbia about clean energy battery storage (CEBS) applications in critical mineral 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
Critical Minerals Infrastructure Policy Gathering
Organization: Métis National Council Secretariat Inc.
Description: The objective is to 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: Métis Crossing, Alberta
Blueprint for Métis Investment Attraction and Review Agency
Organization: Métis National Council Secretariat Inc.
Description: The objective is to develop a blueprint for setting up a Métis Investment Attraction and Review Agency (MIARA) to evaluate potential for Métis participation in critical mineral infrastructure projects.
Amount funded: $150,000
Status: Launched in 2025, expected to be completed by March 31, 2026.
Critical minerals: Copper, potash, lithium
Location: Métis Crossing, Alberta
Clean Energy Needs Assessment for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite Projects
Organization: Constance Lake First Nation
Description: The objective is to 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
CLFN BESS SMART Grid System Feasibility Study for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite Projects
Organization: Constance Lake First Nation
Description: The objective is to 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 mineral 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
CLFN SMART GH2 (Green Hydrogen) System Feasibility Study for the Martison Phosphate and Albany Graphite Projects
Organization: Constance Lake First Nation
Description: The objective is to 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 mineral 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
Contribution funding
The following announced projects have been funded or conditionally approved for contribution funding, pending the due diligence assessment that must be completed prior to establishing a contribution agreement.
Northwest B.C. Highway Corridor Improvements Project
Organization: Province of British Columbia
Amount funded: Up to $74,999,572
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum, nickel, cobalt and zinc
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Northwestern British Columbia
Galore Creek Access Road
Organization: Galore Creek Mining Corporation
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $20,000,000
Critical minerals: Copper
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Northwestern British Columbia
Yukon–British Columbia Grid Connect Project
Organization: Government of Yukon
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $39,970,743
Critical minerals: Cobalt, copper, molybdenum, nickel, platinum group metals, tungsten and zinc
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: British Columbia and Yukon
Unlocking Fairloch Access Road
Organization: Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $1,402,706
Critical minerals: Lithium
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Beardmore, Ontario
Jackfish and Armstrong Bypass Roads Upgrades
Organization: Green Technology Metals Ltd.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $5,470,000
Critical minerals: Lithium
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Armstrong, Ontario
Marathon Palladium-Copper Project
Organization: Generation PGM Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $771,100
Critical minerals: Palladium and copper
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Marathon, Ontario
Electrical Transmission Distribution Network Pre-Construction Studies
Organization: Transmission Infrastructure Partnerships 1 Limited
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $2,374,925
Critical minerals: Chromium, cobalt, nickel and platinum group metals
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Timmins, Ontario
Pre-Implementation Studies for Electrical Infrastructure
Organization: Canada Nickel Company Ltd.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $4,376,230
Critical minerals: Nickel, chromium, cobalt and platinum group metals
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Timmins, Ontario
Shakespeare Mine Connection to Grid Power
Organization: Magna Mining Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $964,100
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group metals
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Shakespeare Mine Road Upgrade
Organization: Magna Mining Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $521,854
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group metals
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Crean Hill Transmission Line Development
Organization: Magna Mining Inc.
Amount funded: $109,430
Critical minerals: Nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum group metals
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Sudbury, Ontario
Frontier Lithium All-Season Road Engineering and Design Project
Organization: Frontier Lithium Inc.
Amount funded: Up to $2,826,808
Critical minerals: Lithium
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Frontier PAK Lithium Clean Energy Project
Organization: Frontier Lithium Inc.
Amount funded: Up to $3,206,344
Critical minerals: Lithium
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Northwestern Ontario
Taltson Expansion Project
Organization: Government of the Northwest Territories
Amount funded: $25,000,000
Critical minerals: Bismuth, cobalt, copper, lithium, rare earth elements and zinc
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: North and South Slave regions of the Northwest Territories
McIlvenna Bay – Transmission Line, Substation, and Battery Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Implementation
Organization: McIlvenna Bay Operating Ltd.
Amount funded: $20,000,000
Critical Minerals: Copper and zinc
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: Pelican Narrows to McIlvenna Bay, Saskatchewan
Strange Lake Northern Transportation Infrastructure Project
Organization: Torngat Metals
Amount funded: $9,995,216
Critical Minerals: Rare earth elements
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Northern Quebec and Labrador
North Canol Infrastructure Improvement Project
Organization: Fireweed Metals Corp.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $12,900,653
Critical minerals: Gallium, germanium
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Ross River, Yukon
Corner Bay and Devlin Mine Road and Power Line Project
Organization: Cbay Minerals Inc, a subsidiary for Cygnus Metals Limited
Amount funded: $1,280,000
Critical minerals: Copper
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Chibougamau, Quebec
Ashram Rare Earth Project Access Road
Organization: Commerce Resources Corp (Commerce Resources)
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $2,606,977
Critical minerals: Rare earth elements, copper, lithium
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Kuujjuaq, Quebec
Rose Lithium-Tantalum
Organization: Critical Elements Lithium Corporation
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $20,000,000
Critical minerals: Lithium
Funding stream: Infrastructure deployment
Location: James Bay, Quebec
Trans-Atikh - Road Project
Organization: Eskan Company
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $13,499,060
Critical minerals: Lithium, copper
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec
Engineering Study for 120kV Transmission Line to the Dumont Project
Organization: Dumont Nickel, formerly Magneto Investments Limited Partnership
Amount funded: $1,049,500
Critical minerals: Nickel, cobalt
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Abitibi, Quebec
Transmission Line Development for the Moblan Project
Organization: Sayona Nord Inc.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $1,337,600
Critical minerals: Lithium
Funding stream: Pre-construction and project development
Location: Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec
Denison Mines – Transmission Line / Access Road Development
Organization: Denison Mines Corp.
Amount funded: $4,534,315
Critical minerals: Uranium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan
Infrastructure Projects to Unlock the Clearwater Lithium Project
Organization: E3 Lithium Ltd.
Amount funded: $4,397,625
Critical mineral: Lithium
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Mountain View County, Alberta
Green Bay Copper-Gold Project Power Assessment
Organization: Firefly Metals Canada Limited
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $618,125
Critical minerals: Copper
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador
Electrification of Victoria Critical Mineral Mine
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
Huckleberry Mine Alternate Copper Concentrate Haulage Concept
Organization: Huckleberry Mines Ltd.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $1,072,500
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Houston, British Columbia
Clean Energy Power Projects at Huckleberry Mines
Organization: Huckleberry Mines Ltd.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to $900,000
Critical minerals: Copper, molybdenum
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Houston, British Columbia
BC Hydro Transmission Line for Northwest B.C. Mines
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
Wicheeda REE Project
Organization: Defense Metals Corp.
Amount conditionally approved: Up to$853,825
Critical minerals: Rare earth elements
Funding stream: Preconstruction and project development
Location: Bear Lake, British Columbia
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