Practical Guidance for Foreign Investors in the Canadian Mining Sector

Chinese investment in Canada's mining sector has grown over the past few years and is expected to grow into the foreseeable future. The Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, has recently stated that the amount of Chinese money flowing into energy development is still three times the size of the amount going into mining. Yet, he revealed that a Chinese-controlled company now has a plan in front of northern regulators to build major open-pit lead, zinc and copper mines along Canada's Arctic coast. He also stated that there is Chinese interest in northern Ontario's Ring of Fire mining region and in Saskatchewan's potash reserves. The policy changes are unlikely to deter that investment in the long run despite the potential increased uncertainty and politicization of the process created by these latest changes to Canada's investment review regime. Published in China Going Global Observer, vol. 1 (2014).