Mining Industry Human Resources Council Leading New Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance

News 4 June 2026

Alliance establishes cross sectoral collaboration to strengthen Canada’s mining workforce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON, June 4, 2026 — The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) and the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) welcomed the launch of the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance (MMWA) today by the Government of Canada at the 139th annual Mining Society of Nova Scotia Conference & AGM. A new national initiative, the MMWA will bring together leaders from across the mining and minerals value chain to address workforce challenges and build the talent needed to support Canada’s economic future.

Established through a memorandum of understanding between MiHR and the Government of Canada – and supported through federal funding provided to MiHR to lead its implementation – the MMWA is the first of six workforce alliances being created to identify and advance industry-led solutions to pressing labour market challenges. This investment reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthening workforce development and the importance of ensuring the mining and minerals sector has the talent needed to support the country’s economic priorities.

Canada’s mining and minerals sector faces an increasing need for skilled workers as demand for critical minerals continues to grow and emerging technologies transform how resources are explored, extracted and processed. The MMWA will serve as a collaborative forum for employers, labour organizations, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous groups and other stakeholders to deliver workforce strategies based on industry needs.

As the lead delivery organization, MiHR will coordinate the MMWA’s activities to deliver practical solutions to workforce challenges, including strategies focused on recruitment and retention, skills training and inclusion. MAC will play a key supporting role in convening industry leaders and ensuring alignment with sector priorities.

Together, MMWA members will leverage labour market intelligence, industry expertise and stakeholder perspectives to identify workforce needs and advance coordinated actions that support growth across the mining and minerals sector. The MMWA’s work will help strengthen talent pipelines needed to support major mining and minerals projects, advance Canada’s critical minerals ambitions and reinforce the sector’s role as a driver of economic growth, innovation and national prosperity.

Quotes

Capitalizing on the opportunities presented by Canada’s critical minerals and major resource extraction projects depends on the people that make up our workforce. As one of Canada’s largest employers of Indigenous peoples, Cameco recognizes that building a skilled and inclusive workforce is crucial to the success of our operations. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for its leadership in establishing the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance and for entrusting MiHR with the resources to lead this important work. The Alliance creates cross-sector collaboration to address workforce challenges with practical, industry-driven solutions. By aligning our efforts, we will continue to build the talent pipelines needed to support growth, innovation and Canada’s competitiveness for decades to come.
–  Jered Heigh, Vice-Chair, MiHR Board of Directors, and Director, Talent Acquisition and Development, Cameco Corporation

Canada’s mining and minerals sector is at a pivotal moment. Demand for critical minerals is growing, new technologies are reshaping how resources are extracted and the need for a skilled, adaptable and inclusive workforce has never been greater. MiHR is proud to bring employers, labour, educators and Indigenous partners together through the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance to build talent pipelines that will help drive our nation’s economic resilience. This collaboration ensures that the people who power our sector have the skills, opportunities and support they need to succeed—and that Canada remains a global leader in responsible resource development.
– Ryan Montpellier, Executive Director, Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)

Canada’s mining sector is a global leader in supplying the minerals and metals needed for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing and economic security. We thank the Government of Canada for its leadership and investment in establishing the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance and for supporting MiHR in leading this important initiative. MAC greatly supports MiHR’s leadership of the Alliance, which provides a valuable forum for collaboration and action – helping ensure the sector has the talent needed for growth across the mining value chain and the industry supports other sectors crucial to Canada’s economic prosperity.
– Pierre Gratton, President and CEO, Mining Association of Canada

Canada’s workforce is strongest when employers and training partners work together. As external pressures continue to affect key sectors, these investments will help empower Canadian workers with the skills they need to adapt. The Alliance will serve a crucial role in ensuring that Canada’s mining workforce is well equipped to support the ambitious national infrastructure projects that will strengthen Canada and enhance our economic independence.
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

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Associated Information

About the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance

The Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance (MMWA) is a national collaborative initiative that brings together employers, labour organizations, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders to identify and address workforce challenges facing Canada’s mining and minerals sector through industry-led solutions to ensure Canada’s economic growth and major projects.

About the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)

MiHR is Canada’s knowledge centre for mining labour market information. An independent, non-profit organization, MiHR leads collaboration among mining and exploration companies, organized labour, contractors, educational institutions, industry associations and Indigenous groups to identify opportunities and address the human resource and labour market challenges facing the Canadian minerals and metals sector. Please visit www.MiHR.ca

About the Mining Association of Canada (MAC)
MAC is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry.  Its members account for most of Canada’s production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca

For Media Inquiries:

William Meyer
Director, Communications and Career Development
Mining Industry Human Resources Council
613.270.9696 x 58
wmeyer@mihr.ca

Meagan Byrd
Director, Communications
Mining Association of Canada
613.233.9392 x 316
mbyrd@mining.ca