Op-Ed: Can New Brunswick Revitalize its Mining Sector?

Signs of life are beginning to re-emerge. Exploration is active, and some key projects are taking tangible steps forward, including in strategic metals such as tungsten, molybdenum, manganese, indium, and antimony – all of which are found on Canada’s critical minerals list and are essential for defense, advanced manufacturing, and the energy transition. In addition, these minerals are more niche – that is, they are not lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, or copper – making them strategic to New Brunswick as a small jurisdiction in Canada. 

A newly released provincial framework for the “Comprehensive Minerals Strategy” represents a pivotal moment and a recognition by Premier Susan Holt that the status quo is unacceptable and that New Brunswick has both the assets and the imperative to rebuild its position. The province is one of the most trade exposed jurisdictions in Canada to the United States, with over 90% of its exports (mostly lumber, agriculture, oil and gas) currently going south of the border. New economic development opportunities and diversification are drastically needed.

The framework, which was teased to a packed room at the 50th annual NB Exploration, Mining and Petroleum conference in Fredericton, will be released as an iterative strategy at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in March 2026. It has a sound foundation with five clear priorities: streamlining regulatory and permitting processes; promoting public and industry awareness; ensuring meaningful Indigenous partnerships, enhancing the investment environment, and planning for local economic benefits.

The framework also makes a compelling case for New Brunswick as an attractive jurisdiction. New Brunswick has deposits of 13 of Canada's 34 recognized critical minerals, including zinc, copper, antimony, manganese, tungsten, potash, and indium resources. Unlike northern mining regions across Canada, which require massive infrastructure investments and years to build, while relying on fly-in/fly-out workforces, New Brunswick’s mineral-rich areas are accessible within hours from established communities. In addition, New Brunswick has two deepwater, ice-free ports, strong and accessible energy and railway infrastructure, and over 40,000 kilometers of established forestry roads, making the ability to get resources to market relatively easy.

First Nations in New Brunswick also seem ready to engage and move forward. Minister John Herron and Premier Susan Holt have been clear in communicating that authentic indigenous partnerships are table stakes. Before government began working on the strategy, Minister John Herron invited all 16 Nations in the province to co-create the framework. The approach builds trust and is a good start but will require sustained commitment and resources to see a project fully realized.

Let’s not kid ourselves. New Brunswick will face significant challenges. It is a small jurisdiction with limited capital and financial levers, competing on a global scale for scarce investment dollars. The Government of Canada will need to support the strategy, but they are faced with competing priorities and a Major Projects Office that will likely prioritize large scale investments bigger than what any New Brunswick project could offer. The province will therefore need to be bold and creative in establishing an attractive investment climate, including competitive fiscal terms, streamlined approvals, infrastructure readiness, government commitment, and a willing and ready public. This is a province with a troubled history of making risky bets on emerging economic opportunities only to see that investment flushed down the toilet. Minister John Herron will need to act decisively.

Global circumstances have aligned to create an opportunity. But these windows don't stay open indefinitely, and larger jurisdictions are moving aggressively. New Brunswick will need to play to its strengths, focusing on what makes it unique, namely the ability to move strategic minerals to market quickly, with a focus on antimony, potash, manganese, tungsten, molybdenum, and rare metals such as indium.

For our part, we are prepared to help the province achieve its strategic objective of enhanced public and industry awareness. New Brunswick is often jokingly referred to as the “forgotten province”, and we’d be willing to bet most Canadians were unaware of the province’s mining history or mineral potential. Or the fact that New Brunswick is home to one of the world’s largest mineral exploration drilling companies, Major Drilling, based in Moncton.

That is why we are re-establishing the Mining Association of New Brunswick – a strategic partnership with the Canadian Manufactures and Exporters (CME) – to create awareness, to be a voice for industry, to support Indigenous economic partnerships, and to promote an impactful policy and regulatory environment, sustainable mining practices, and an attractive investment climate.

Jon Robinson and Ron Marcolin, Mining Association of New Brunswick

Jon Robinson is the Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at Falkirk Consulting, a firm with decades of experience in all aspects of project permitting, Indigenous relations, environmental science, project management, government relations and public policy in the mining and natural resource sectors. He lives in Rothesay, New Brunswick.

Ron Marcolin is Divisional Vice President of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), Canada’s largest and oldest trade and industry association, which helps manufacturers & exporters of all shapes and sizes grow and prosper. He lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick