Ontario exploration needs stronger voice, faster approvals 

Ontario has the ingredients to remain one of the world’s leading mineral exploration jurisdictions, but it must turn political ambition into faster approvals, stronger early-stage investment and better-supported consultation, according to Steve Virtue, interim CEO of the Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA).

In an interview with Canadian Mining Journal, Virtue outlined plans to strengthen the association while addressing the pressures facing prospectors and exploration companies. He said the province benefits from exceptional geology, a stable political environment and experienced exploration professionals, but competes for capital against jurisdictions moving aggressively to advance projects. 

“My priority with the OPA is to make the association stronger,” Virtue said. He wants it to become a more present partner for the people doing discovery work. That includes building “a sharper voice at Queen’s Park,” improving communications and delivering more value to members. 

Virtue said much of the groundwork was completed by the OPA board and past contributors through a broader revitalization effort. His immediate task is to build on that work and reinforce the importance of grassroots exploration within the mining supply chain. “Without grassroots discovery, there is no mine in 10, 15 or 20 years,” he said. 

Ontario’s geology, political stability and pool of exploration talent remain major advantages. However, Virtue said those strengths are not sufficient if investors cannot see a predictable route from discovery to returns. “Permitting timelines have become a disincentive over the years,” he said. 

Improving timelines does not require lowering environmental standards or weakening engagement with Indigenous communities, he added. The priority should be removing duplication, allowing reviews to proceed concurrently and matching regulatory requirements to the risk and impact of each activity. Virtue pointed to Ontario’s One Project, One Process (1P1P) commitment as a potentially important step. 

The OPA has prepared recommendations for the provincial government ahead of proposed red-tape-reduction measures. Virtue said the association wants to participate while policy is being developed instead of responding after decisions are made. Early-stage exploration also needs better investment incentives and more efficient treatment of low-impact work because it represents the research and development stage of the mining cycle. 

Consultation capacity is another concern. “Communities are being asked to participate in processes that they are not necessarily resourced to do,” Virtue said. The OPA has requested provincial support to improve dialogue among communities, explorers, government and other interested parties. The goal, he said, is to build an “economic partnership” that recognizes legitimate community concerns while allowing responsible exploration to advance. 

Virtue cited Ontario’s recent rise to second place in the Fraser Institute’s 2025 Annual Survey of Mining Companies (released February 26, 2026) but warned that such positions can change quickly as competing regions improve their policies. Staying among the top jurisdictions will require sustained attention to exploration, not only investment in mines already approaching production. 

Over the next five years, Virtue sees an opportunity to establish a mineral industrial policy “anchored around discovery, not just production.” He pointed to the Ring of Fire and the Crawford nickel project near Timmins as examples of the economic value that can be unlocked when deposits move forward. 

The OPA intends to become a more visible participant in that effort. Virtue said it must work alongside its members, the Ontario Mining Association, governments, First Nations and Indigenous communities to strengthen the province’s exploration ecosystem. The association, he said, is ready to “step out of the shadows of our history and move forward progressively.”

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/g7SFfo2iYaY?si=unVIKLJ_bTzVNlZK