What role does Mining Industry NL play for the industry?

Mining Industry NL is a not-for-profit, industry-led organization supporting the entire mineral value chain in Newfoundland and Labrador. This includes prospectors, junior and senior explorers, developers, operators, producers, and the service and supply sector. 

Our core mandate is advocacy and representation, but it also focuses on investment attraction, sector promotion, outreach and education, and business-to-business matchmaking. Through a comprehensive range of initiatives, the organization works to strengthen the province’s mining industry and enhance its global competitiveness.

How does mining contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy?

Mining is the second-largest contributor to Newfoundland and Labrador’s GDP, accounting for 9.3% in 2024 – up from 7.3% in 2023 – behind only oil extraction. In 2024, mineral shipments totaled CA$4.6 billion, with projections surpassing CA$6 billion in 2025 due to new projects coming online. Exploration remains strong, with forecasted expenditures of CA$258 million for 2025, maintaining a trend of over CA$200 million annually since 2022, and more than CA$1 billion in exploration expenditures since 2021. Foreign direct investment in mining brings new money into the province, fueling economic and social activity in rural areas. With an area of 452,000 km² and just 550,000 residents, the province remains an underexplored, top-tier frontier jurisdiction with significant untapped mineral potential.

What is the province’s geological profile?

Newfoundland and Labrador boasts exceptional geological diversity, hosting 27 of Canada’s 34 critical minerals. The province's mineral richness spans both island and Labrador, with world-class systems ranging from high-purity iron ore in Labrador West, with more than 30% of Canada’s supply of iron ore coming from the Labrador Trough. Equally, the Voisey’s Bay mine supplies more than 30% of Canada’s nickel. Concentrate from the two underground mines, Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps, undergo processing at the Long Harbour Operations site, one of the lowest-emission nickel processing plants in the world. Newfoundland’s mining legacy dates back 160 years to Tilt Cove, and regions like the Baie Verte Peninsula continue to drive exploration and development, with projects like Firefly Metals advancing Green Bay Copper-Gold project.  

Gold exploration is particularly active, with Equinox Gold – which recently acquired Calibre Mining – pouring its first gold at its Valentine mine in Q3 2025. Remarkably, this is the first greenfield project permitted in Atlantic Canada in over 15 years. Such milestones attract significant investment and validate the province’s mining potential. From exploration to production, activity is accelerating across the province, positioning Newfoundland and Labrador as one of Canada’s most promising and underexplored mining frontiers.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a top-tier mining jurisdiction – but where could it still improve further?

Newfoundland and Labrador consistently ranks highly on mining jurisdiction appeal, and was placed 8th globally in the Fraser Institute’s 2024 survey for investment attractiveness, slightly up from the previous year’s rank of 9th; and 6th on policy perception. Still, while mineral potential remains strong, the province, like much of Canada, faces growing challenges in advancing large-scale resource projects. Regulatory complexity, overlapping permitting systems, and land access constraints – ranging from conservation areas, notably a proposed South Coast Fjords National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA), to hydrogen and wind developments – create uncertainty and above-ground risk. To stay competitive and attractive to investors, it is essential to maintain an investment-friendly climate and ensure clarity around land availability. Mining Industry NL advocates for collaboration with regulators and decision-makers to preserve investor confidence and enable continued exploration and project development.

What are Mining Industry NL’s key priorities for the coming year?

As an industry association, strengthening connectivity with members and the broader sector is a key priority. We are investing in tools and resources to better communicate, raise the profile of the mineral resources sector, and highlight its opportunities. One exciting initiative is Mining Bright Futures, a new youth engagement program focused on K-12 STEM education. We have hired two staff to lead the rollout, targeting school districts near advanced or near-development projects and partnering with companies to deliver public engagement and career awareness activities.

This effort supports our broader advocacy strategy by increasing public understanding of the industry's role in daily life. In a resource-dependent society, bridging the disconnect between everyday products and their mineral origins is essential. Enhancing awareness and relevance will ultimately strengthen support for environmentally and socially responsible resource development and secure the sector’s future.