This year, GBR is expanding the focus of our annual report beyond Québec, to also cover the Atlantic provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. This region finds itself at a pivotal moment in its mining evolution, seeking to strengthen North America’s supply chains, attract investment, and position itself as reliable source of critical minerals and metals, leveraging a wide variety of innovative tools to do so.

The past year highlighted both promise and strategic challenges. Despite strong global demand, 2024 saw no new mines begin production in the region – a stark reminder that execution, timing, and regulatory alignment remain critical. Rising geopolitical tensions, tariffs and supply chain bifurcation are reshaping global markets, reinforcing the need for Canadian mines to secure both domestic and international competitiveness. Québec and Atlantic Canada’s companies are responding proactively, leveraging innovation in drilling, planning, airborne logistics and water management to ensure that projects remain resilient in the face of global uncertainty.

One of the most striking advantages of this region is its ecosystem of technology and service providers. From geophysics innovators to mine planning specialists, autonomous vehicle pioneers and modular infrastructure leaders, Québec and Atlantic Canada are home to a network of companies capable of turning strategic vision into operational reality. Even drilling, blasting, and explosives production are being reimagined to meet new technical and regulatory demands efficiently.

Environmental, social and governance standards continue to shape operations, as communities, governments and investors demand accountability and transparency. Québec and Atlantic Canada’s response has been a proactive, innovative one, with companies advancing circularity in mining, implementing next-generation water management solutions, and developing logistical systems to support operations in some of the continent’s most remote and challenging terrain.

The vision is clear: an eastern Canadian mining sector that not only produces wealth but also strengthens North America’s supply security, while reinforcing the provinces’ environmental, technological and societal leadership.

We want to extend our gratitude to the industry and government leaders who shared their expertise, insights and ambitions with us, along with our association partners at QMA, AEMQ, Mining Industry NL and MANS, all essential contributors to this edition of Québec and Atlantic Canada Mining.

Sincerely, Alfonso Tejerina