Great Bear mining project fast-tracked in Ontario

Key Takeaways:

• Kinross Gold’s Great Bear Project is the first gold mine designated under Ontario’s new One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework, which aims to cut government review times by 50% to avoid previous delays that lasted up to 15 years.
• The project involves a 5 billion dollar capital investment and is expected to create 900 permanent operational jobs and 1,100 peak jobs, with major construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and production starting in 2029.
• Located near Red Lake, the mine is designed as a high-grade complex producing over 500,000 ounces of gold annually at its peak, and it includes a commitment to work closely with First Nations partners to uphold consultation duties and local economic opportunities.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government has designated Kinross Gold Corporation’s Great Bear Project as the first gold mine to be approved under its “One Project, One Process” (1P1P) framework, a coordinated permitting system launched in October to reduce mine approval timelines.

The project, located 24 kilometres southeast of Red Lake in northwestern Ontario, represents a capital investment of more than $5 billion and is expected to create 900 jobs during operations, with peak employment reaching 1,100 workers. Thousands of additional construction and indirect jobs will be created during the build-out phase from 2027 to 2029, the government said in a news release.

The designation matters to builders and contractors because it signals Ontario’s commitment to streamlining major resource projects and demonstrates how the 1P1P framework can compress permitting timelines. The province previously faced mine approval delays of up to 15 years under its fragmented system.

The Great Bear Project is designed as a large, long-life mine complex with an estimated initial mine life of 12 years, consisting of underground workings and two open pits. Kinross’ preliminary economic assessment outlines a high-grade operation producing an average of more than 500,000 ounces of gold per year at its peak, with potential for 5.3 million ounces of initial production.

Major construction is expected to start in 2027, with production planned for 2029. Kinross has already begun early on-site work and infrastructure planning, including connections to nearby power lines and a natural gas pipeline.

“The ‘One Project, One Process’ designation marks an important milestone for the Great Bear Project and reflects Ontario’s leadership in creating the right conditions for responsible, long-term mining investment,” said J. Paul Rollinson, CEO of Kinross Gold. “For Kinross, this designation facilitates a more integrated and streamlined path forward as we advance the permitting of this world-class mine towards commercial production in consultation with Indigenous communities.”

Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce said the framework reduces government review time by 50 per cent through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach. “Ontario is proud to designate this project under ‘One Project, One Process,’ unlocking one of Canada’s largest mines that will create over 1,000 good-paying jobs,” Lecce said in the release.

The Crown’s duty to consult obligation remains fully upheld under 1P1P, the government said. Kinross is focused on working in close cooperation with First Nations partners on baseline studies, site planning, and future opportunities.

The designation complements other work underway in the Red Lake region, including consultation on the Red Lake Transmission Line, a proposed line that would run from Dryden to Red Lake to power new mines and growing communities.

Ontario’s mining sector currently supports 28,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs through associated mineral processing and supply services. The province generated $13 billion worth of minerals in 2024, with gold accounting for a significant portion of production value.