Once a month, we partner up with LobbyIQ to update our readers on recent movements in the federal lobbying landscape in Ottawa. We provide separate coverage for each channel, defined by the most relevant industries, organizations, institutions, and subject matters.

Key Takeaways — Mining

• Lobbying activity totalled 157 meetings in September 2026, down from a 12-month average of 166.7.
• The most notable shift was in Oil, gas and mining support services.
• Eldorado Gold Corporation, PMET Resources were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in September 2026 Data

Shift Toward Midstream Processing Marks Policy Pivot

Lobbying by Glencore Canada Corporation and Global Battery Materials for processing and value-added activities aligns with Canada's launch of the Future Materials Alliance in September 2026, marking a strategic shift from simple extraction to midstream and downstream mineral processing. Increased engagement from major mining organizations, including the Association for Mineral Exploration and Glencore Canada Corporation, focuses on advocating for support in refining, recycling, and supply chain integration—reflecting federal and industry interests in advancing Canada's processing capacity, particularly through discussions with Finance Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

📎 Canada Critical Minerals: The Midstream Opportunity Unlocked

Regional Strategy Spurs Infrastructure-Centric Lobbying

The June 2026 regional critical minerals strategy released by Western and Northern provinces has energized lobbying by Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. and PMET Resources, aimed at infrastructure corridors and northern project development. Meetings frequently focused on the North Canol corridor and Yukon projects, with PMET Resources engaging Finance Canada (FIN) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), underscoring industry's pursuit of joint government-industry efforts to accelerate permitting, project support, and infrastructure expansion in resource-rich areas.

📎 Critical minerals: A joint strategy for Western and Northern Canada

Tighter Rules and Indigenous Focus Shape Lobbying Landscape

Recent government updates on critical minerals policy have emphasized supply chain security, Indigenous partnership, and stricter investment review processes. These shifts are echoed in lobbying efforts by Eldorado Gold Corporation and the Association for Mineral Exploration, which are calling for policies—via meetings with Finance Canada and the Prime Minister's Office—to strengthen Canada's critical minerals supply chain, encourage Indigenous leadership, and secure industrial innovation amid increased scrutiny and public funding.

📎 Natural Resources & Mining - Canada Market Update Oct 2026 · Strengthening Canada s Resilience On The Critical Mineral Front

Volatility and Spikes Reflect Event-Driven Lobbying

The mining sector showed marked volatility and event-driven spikes in lobbying activity during September, coinciding with major policy announcements and strategy launches. Organizations such as Eldorado Gold Corporation and PMET Resources ramped up government engagement, holding meetings with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and the House of Commons, while Rio Tinto Canada Management Inc. also intensified discussions with NRCan—suggesting tactical responses to shifting policy and funding landscapes. BHP reduced its activity, further emphasizing the sector’s adaptive approach amid changing government priorities.

📎 Natural Resources & Mining - Canada Market Update Oct 2026

Section B: Lobbying Activity by Industry

This section compares, by NAICS industry, the lobbying activity in Ottawa last month to its historical average.

Lobbying activity across this channel totalled 157 meetings in September 2026, down from a 12-month average of 167. The most active industry was Mining (metal ore), while Mining fell below its recent baseline.

Oil, gas and mining support services had 6 meetings, down from an average of 10.

Section C: Lobbying by Industry for the Past Year

To contextualize, we show each industry's lobbying activity over the past 12 months. The combined view from Section B and C shows you whether recent differences are persistent trends or a break from the norm.

Top Industry Residual Trends for 2026-09

Mining (metal ore) saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in September 2026.

↳ Mining (metal ore) has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Mining has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Mining displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Oil, gas and mining support services displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

Section D: Lobbying Activity by Organization

In this section, we see the organizations with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month, defined by either unusually high or unusually low lobbying activity.

The organizations with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Eldorado Gold Corporation, PMET Resources, Glencore Canada Corporation, and Rio Tinto Canada Management Inc.

On the quieter side, BHP Canada Inc. pulled back from its usual pace.

Section E: Lobbying of Government Institutions in the Past Month

Every time an organization lobbies, there is a government official representing a government institution at the other side of the table. This section shows the industry-institutions pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month, defined by either unusually high or unusually low lobbying activity. Below that, we show the corresponding organization-institution pairs.

Industries → Government Institutions

Organizations → Government Institutions

The most active industry → institution pair was Mining (metal ore) → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) with 31 meetings.

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Eldorado Gold Corporation → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): 6 meetings (avg 1, +929%).

↳ PMET Resources → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): 6 meetings (avg 1, +324%).

↳ Rio Tinto Canada Management Inc → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): 5 meetings (avg 3, +94%).

Section F: Industry and Organization Lobbying by Subject in the Past Month

All lobbying activity is tagged with a "subject matter". This section shows the industry-subject pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month, defined by either unusually high or unusually low lobbying activity, and below it the organization-subject pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month.

Industries → Subjects

Organizations → Subjects

The busiest industry → subject corridors this month:

↳ Mining (metal ore) → Natural Resources: 79 meetings (avg 63, +25%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Rio Tinto Canada Management Inc → Industry: 16 meetings (avg 8, +104%).

↳ Rio Tinto Canada Management Inc → Mining: 16 meetings (avg 9, +83%).

↳ Glencore Canada Corporation → Natural Resources: 15 meetings (avg 8, +94%).

Section G: Last Month's Most Lobbied Politicians and Civil Servants

This section presents a list of the politicians and civil servants who took the most meetings with key industry players last month.

Most Lobbied Individuals by Sector

Most Lobbied Individuals by Organization

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by sector) this month were Mining (metal ore) → Isabella Chan (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)), Mining (metal ore) → Samir Kassam (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)) and Mining → Isabella Chan (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Rio Tinto Canada Management Inc → Isabella Chan (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)), Glencore Canada Corporation → James Christie (Transport Canada (TC)) and Global Battery Materials → Paul Moen (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)).