FedNor investment of $440,948 in Lakehead University will support increases in the discovery and development of mining opportunities in Northern Ontario and Canada
In a rapidly changing world, Canada's Government is focused on what we can control; building a stronger more resilient Canada. Through strategic investments that help us empower Canadians, communities and industries that drive our economy forward, including Northern Ontario's globally recognized mining sector.
Yesterday, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced an investment of $$440,948 in support of mining research and the expansion of mining efforts in Northern Ontario. The announcement was made at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 convention.
This investment will support Lakehead University in equipping a new mining research laboratory at the university's Thunder Bay campus. The laboratory upgrades will facilitate the work of a new industry research chair, who will be focused on developing new model systems for gold deposits. It will enable Lakehead University to acquire and install three major instruments that will form the core of a new microanalytical facility. In addition to these equipment purchases, FedNor will support small electrical panel upgrades to an existing laboratory space.
This investment will directly support work that will help in discovering new gold deposits as well as other future mining and exploration opportunities with greater efficiency and effectiveness. This work will help guide the development of the mineral exploration industry ensuring that Northern Ontario and Canada remain at the forefront of mineral exploration and development for years to come.
As Lakehead University will retain the equipment following the project's completion, it will create a unique analytical facility in the region that will benefit researchers at the university and provide a valuable resource for local mining and exploration companies. The facility will support training of graduate students in the skills necessary to address research questions and succeed as industry geologists, a major growth sector and economic opportunity for Northwestern Ontario.
