The province has announced this Big Dipper will be designated under the new One Project, One Process (1P1P) framework, a streamlined approval system aimed at reducing government review times by 50 percent.
Located approximately 24 kilometers southeast of Red Lake in Northwestern Ontario, Great Bear is designed as a high-performance, combined open-pit and underground operation with an initial service life of 12 years.
According to Kinross, the project is expected to produce more than 500,000 ounces of gold annually during peak years, in addition to a potential initial production of 5.3 million ounces.
Great Bear has longer-term expansion potential, supported by continued exploration.
Kinross acquired the project in 2022 through the purchase of Great Bear Resources before formal mineral resource estimates had been completed. Major construction work is expected to begin in 2027 and first production is expected to take place in 2029.
“At a time of global economic uncertainty, Ontario is choosing to build – to build faster, to build more at home and to build Canada’s self-reliance,” said Stephen Leccethe Ontario Minister of Energy and Mining.
The project represents more than $5 billion in capital investment and is expected to create 900 jobs over its operational life, with peak employment of 1,100 employees. Thousands of additional construction and indirect jobs are expected during the construction phase, which will take place between 2027 and 2029.
“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 investments,” said CEO J. Paul Rollinson, who also noted that Great Bear could become one of Canada’s “largest and most profitable gold mines.”
The 1P1P framework is designed to address what the province has described as an outdated and fragmented permitting system that previously caused delays of up to 15 years before a mine could open.
Under the new model, the Ministry of Energy and Mines serves as a single point of contact to coordinate provincial approvals and Indigenous consultations, while maintaining the Crown’s duty to consult. The designation also complements broader infrastructure efforts in the region, including consultation on the proposed Red Lake transmission line, which would connect Dryden to Red Lake and support new mines and growing communities.
Ontario’s mining sector currently supports 28,000 direct jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs.
The province generated $13 billion worth of minerals in 2024 and remains Canada’s largest mineral producer, with gold accounting for a significant portion of production.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, have no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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