Toronto, ON — TheNewswire --- September 3, 2025 — Hon. Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s Minister of Energy and Mines, will deliver Ministerial Remarks at The Ontario Critical Minerals Forum (November 18–19, Toronto) which is set to be the must-attend gathering for mining, First Nations, government, and finance leaders advancing Ontario’s critical minerals supply chain.

Hon. Greg Rickford, Ontario’s Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation/Minister Responsible for the Ring of Fire, will also present during a dedicated session on advancing the Ring of Fire.

With over 60 confirmed speakers, The Ontario Critical Minerals Forum will deliver timely updates, insights, and high-level networking opportunities for mining companies, investors, First Nations, and government leaders. Over 400 attendees are expected across the full critical minerals value chain.

Featured speakers include:

Mining Leaders

• Peter Xavier, Chief Operating Officer, Canada Metals, Glencore 

• Trevor Walker, President & CEO, Frontier Lithium 

• Kristan Straub, CEO, Wyloo Canada 

• Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO, Rock Tech Lithium 

• Jason Jessup, CEO & Director, Magna Mining 

• Scott Monteith, President & CEO, Avalon Advanced Materials 

• Jamie Levy, President & CEO, Generation Mining 

• Mark Selby, CEO & Director, Canada Nickel Company 

• Trent Mell, CEO, Electra Battery Materials 

• Pat Ryan, Chairman & CEO, Ucore Rare Metals 

• Gordana Slepcev, CEO & Director, Lomiko Metals 

• Jessie Liu-Ernsting, Chief Corporate Development Officer, FireFly Metals 

• Rob Carter, Senior Vice President Canada, Hudbay Minerals 

• Alden Greenhouse, Vice President, Critical & Strategic Minerals, Agnico Eagle Mines 

• Jonathan French, Vice President, Capital Markets & External Affairs, Foran Mining 

• Emily Olson, Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer, Vale Base Metals 

• Priya Tandon, President, Ontario Mining Association 

• Jeremy Niemi, Chief Strategy Officer, Juno Corp. 

• Alina Shams, Director, Government Relations & Sustainability, Wyloo 

• Mark Passi, Energy Manager, Glencore 

First Nations Leaders & Finance Experts:

• Chief Bruce Archibald, Taykwa Tagamou Nation 

• Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, Marten Falls First Nation 

• Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Webequie First Nation 

• Ogimaa-Kwe Chief Claire Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation 

• Lance Black, Chief Negotiator for Mining, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation 

• Mike Fox, Founder, Indigenous Community Engagement (ICE) 

• Saga Williams, Senior Advisor, External Relations, First Nations Major Projects Coalition 

• Booker Cornea, Market Lead, Commercial Banking, First Nations Bank of Canada 

• Kody Penner, Vice President, Corporate Development, Nations Royalty 

• Paul Gruner, CEO, łı̨chǫ Investment 

• Fred Di Blasio, Co-Founder, Managing Partner & CEO, Longhouse Capital 

• Reggie George, Executive Director – Special Projects & Partnerships, Three Fires Group 

• Jason Batise, Executive Director, Wabun Tribal Council 

• Tara Ingram, Director of Economic Development, Matawa First Nations Management 

Government Representatives:

• Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, Government of Ontario 

• Hon. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation / Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire, Government of Ontario 

• Marie-Elise Maurice, Director, Critical Minerals Infrastructure and Regional Strategies, Natural Resources Canada 

Finance Experts:

• Minh-Tuong Dao, Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank 

• Anca Drexler, Chief Investment Officer, Building Ontario Fund 

• Yannick Beaudoin, President & CEO, Canada Growth Fund Investment Management 

• Hugh Samson, Co-Head, Global Metals & Mining Investment Banking, RBC Capital Markets 

• Chint Kulkarni, Managing Director & Head, Industry & Client Coverage, CIBC 

Energy & Infrastructure Experts:

• Chuck Farmer, EVP, Power System Development, IESO 

• Gary Smith, EVP, Operations & Technology, Fortis 

• Matthew Jackson, VP, Indigenous Partnerships & Business Development, Hydro One 

• Geoff Osborne, Director of Business Development, Capstone Infrastructure 

Advisors & Market Experts:

• Sarah Goldfeder, Executive Director – Government Relations & Corporate Affairs, GM 

• John Kwarta, Strategic Account Executive, Schneider Electric 

• Michael Pickersgill, Partner, Torys LLP 

• Andrew McHardy, Partner & National Energy Transformation & Decarbonization Leader, KPMG 

• Victoire de Margerie, Board Director, Ivanhoe Electric / Verkor 

• Moe Kabbara, President, The Transition Accelerator 

• Randy Broderick, Managing Director Nickel & PGM’s, Hatch 

• Giancarlo Drennan, VP & Ontario Practice Group Lead, Sussex Strategy Group 

• Eric Miller, President, Rideau Potomac Strategy Group 

• Randall Kahgee, Senior Counsel, OKT LLP 

• Sandra Gogal, Partner, Cassels LLP 

• Julian Kettle, Vice Chair, Metals & Mining, Wood Mackenzie 

• Sheldon Smith, Senior Hydrologist, Stantec 

The Forum will deliver critical insights tailored to each part of the critical minerals ecosystem. For mining companies, it provides timely updates on government funding programs, permitting reforms, and infrastructure planning. For First Nations, it highlights emerging models of Indigenous-led financing and project ownership. Investors and finance leaders will gain fresh perspectives on de-risking strategies and unlocking capital, while government representatives will engage directly with mining executives and Indigenous partners shaping Ontario’s next decade of growth.

The Forum is supported by industry leaders, with Glencore and Schneider Electric as Thought Leader Sponsors, and KPMG, Hatch, and Torys LLP as Session Leader sponsors. Exhibitors including Aderco, Alectra Energy Solutions, and Enbridge will also be on site, showcasing solutions that advance Ontario’s role in the global critical minerals supply chain

For more information visit

🔗 www.ontariocriticalminerals.com

About Energy and Mines:

Energy and Mines has been at the forefront of convening the mining sector’s energy transition leaders for over a decade. Its Toronto event, now in its 14th year, has built a strong reputation as a trusted platform for addressing the intersection of mining, energy, and sustainability. The Ontario Critical Minerals Forum builds on this legacy, delivering a timely and essential forum to support Ontario’s emergence as a global leader in critical minerals.

Media Contact:

Adrienne Baker

Director, Energy and Mines

adrienne.baker@energyandmines.com

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