Social Responsibility
Mining has helped to build Ontario. What were once small mining camps have grown to become vibrant communities such as Sudbury, Red Lake, Timmins and Kirkland Lake. These communities, and many like them, provide a high quality of life for industry workers and those employed by the sizeable mine supply and service cluster. They are home to innovative companies that nurture diversity and talent, and whose global connections, experience and innovative drive give communities a competitive edge.
Modern mining companies take a partnership approach to community relations. Through proactive communication, they address concerns and engage communities in the process of creating shared value at the local level.
This approach helps build understanding and trust while supporting opportunities that can make a positive difference in people’s lives. This is particularly important in remote and northern communities, where mining can play an important role in employment, economic development and community wellbeing.
Mines also contribute to local communities through investments in infrastructure, education, training, health care, cultural programs and environmental initiatives. Together, these contributions can help strengthen communities and support economic opportunities throughout the life of a mine and beyond.
Indigenous Relationships and Economic Participation
Respectful, mutually-beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities are crucial to the Ontario mining industry. Mining companies work with Indigenous communities to create employment and business opportunities, support economic participation and build long-term partnerships.
Ontario’s mining sector has one of the highest proportions of Indigenous workers of all industries in the province, at 12%, nearly four times the percentage of the Canadian population that identifies as Indigenous according to the 2024 census data. Indigenous knowledge and perspectives also bring important expertise to mining projects, including in areas such as environmental stewardship, land use and community engagement.
Over the past several decades, Indigenous-industry relationships have continued to evolve. Mining companies and Indigenous communities have established a range of agreements related to exploration and mine development, including exploration agreements, impact benefit and collaboration agreements, and government Resource Revenue Sharing agreements.
These partnerships can provide opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate in and benefit from mineral development while supporting stronger relationships between industry and communities.
Indigenous Procurement
Indigenous procurement is another important opportunity for economic participation and partnership. Across Ontario, mining companies work with Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led businesses as part of their supply chains, creating opportunities for local businesses and contributing to regional economic development.
Indigenous Procurement Roundtable Report
In 2025, the OMA brought together mining companies and First Nations representatives for its inaugural Indigenous Procurement Roundtable in Thunder Bay. The roundtable provided a space to share procurement experiences, identify barriers and explore opportunities to strengthen participation by Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led businesses.
The resulting Indigenous Procurement Roundtable Report captures key insights from these conversations, including success stories, available resources and preliminary recommendations. It is intended as a practical resource for OMA members, Indigenous communities and businesses, and others interested in strengthening Indigenous participation in Ontario’s mining supply chain.
A Living Resource
The Indigenous Procurement Roundtable Report is a living document that will continue to evolve as new perspectives, experiences and ideas are shared. OMA plans to hold additional workshops and engagement opportunities to build on the learnings from the roundtable and continue the conversation.
We welcome opportunities to learn from our members, Indigenous communities, businesses and other partners as this work develops.
Resources
The following resources provide additional information about Indigenous-industry relationships, mining agreements and Indigenous participation in the sector:
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Interactive Map of Indigenous Mining Agreements — Explore agreements between Indigenous communities and mining companies across Canada, including information about projects, communities and agreement types.
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Exploration and Mining Guide for Aboriginal Communities — A resource from Natural Resources Canada providing information about exploration and mining.
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Indigenous Affairs Program Resources — Resources from the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) related to Indigenous engagement and relationships.
Working Together
Strong community relationships are built through ongoing dialogue, respect and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities. OMA and its members continue to learn from the experiences of Indigenous communities and partners across Ontario and to share resources and practices that support collaboration throughout the mining lifecycle.
Have a resource, experience or initiative to share? Contact OMA