Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is providing $11 million for construction of a new copper and palladium processing complex in Northern Ontario.
Funding, through the province’s $500-million Critical Minerals Processing Fund (CMPF), will support Generation Mining’s $410-million processing facility in Marathon, the first project to receive funding through the program.
“Marathon is one of the most advanced undeveloped copper-palladium projects in North America, and this support helps us finance the construction of the Marathon Project,” said Jamie Levy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Generation Mining. “We look forward to working with the province and with Canada to build the next critical minerals mine in this country.”
The facility is part of a $992-million Marathon Project and will give Northwestern Ontario the capacity to process raw ore into materials used in industrial applications including electrification, advanced manufacturing and defence.
Once operational, the project is expected to create more than 450 jobs. The construction phase is expected to support about 800 jobs.
“By supporting Generation Mining’s Marathon Project, our government is protecting the resilience and self-reliance of the province’s critical mineral supply chain,” Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli said in a statement.
Copper and palladium are used in a range of industrial applications, including power transmission systems, electric vehicles, clean energy infrastructure and defence technologies.
“Marathon is one of the most advanced undeveloped copper-palladium projects in North America, and this support helps us finance the construction of the Marathon Project,” said Generation Mining president and CEO Jamie Levy.
The project comes as jurisdictions face continued uncertainty around tariffs and global supply chains for critical minerals.
Ontario is Canada’s largest mineral producer, generating $14.2 billion worth of minerals in 2025, according to the province. The broader mining sector supports about 31,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs through mineral processing and related services.
The Fraser Institute has ranked Ontario first in Canada and second globally for mining investment, the province said.
Generation Mining’s Marathon Project is located near the town of Marathon on the north shore of Lake Superior.