Developing a critical minerals project often stalls long before construction begins, when the cost and complexity of early-stage planning become a barrier. The Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund — Preconstruction stream was created to help mining and natural resource projects across Canada move past that hurdle by supporting the foundational work needed to reach a shovel-ready stage. Delivered by Natural Resources Canada, this stream focuses on the infrastructure that enables critical minerals development, including clean energy connections, transportation access, and other essential systems tied to mine viability and sustainability.
Through this preconstruction funding, eligible enterprises and non-profits can offset a significant portion of costs related to feasibility and prefeasibility studies, engineering and design work, environmental and technical assessments, and infrastructure-specific consultations. Support can reach into the tens of millions per project, typically covering up to half of eligible expenses. While many projects receive non-repayable contributions, some for-profit initiatives may see funding structured as conditionally repayable, depending on how the project generates returns over time. A strong emphasis is placed on engagement with Indigenous communities and other impacted groups, as well as improving environmental performance and supply chain connectivity.
Although the current intake for the Preconstruction stream is closed, the program remains a key part of Canada’s long-term strategy to advance critical minerals infrastructure. Reviewing the full program details can help determine how future intakes or related funding streams may support your project’s next steps.
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