• About
  • Offices
  • Careers
  • Students
  • Alumni
Background Image
Logo Bennett Jones
  • People
  • Expertise
  • Resources
  • Search
  • Menu
  • Search Mobile
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All

FEATURED AREAS

Energy
Funds & Finance
Mining
Capital Projects
All Industries
Crisis & Risk Management
Environmental, Social & Governance
Governmental Affairs & Public Policy
All Practices
Insights
Media
Events
Subscribe
COVID-19 Resource Centre
Business Law Talks Podcast
Kickstart
New Energy Economy Series
People
Featured Areas
All Practices
All Industries
About
Offices
Careers
Insights
Events
Search
Search
 
Blog

Canada Announces the Critical Minerals List

March 15, 2021

Written by Radha Curpen, Sharon Singh, Sander Grieve and Kenryo Mizutani

On March 11, 2021, Canada unveiled its Critical Minerals List. The list includes 31 minerals considered integral to the Canadian economy, all of which are available in Canada. The list highlights focus areas in future Canadian mining policy and investments and builds on the existing Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan. The plan is a framework and signals the future strategic direction Canada will encourage in support of national security and economic growth objectives through the minerals and metals industry.

What Are Critical Minerals?

The 31 minerals are identified as critical minerals based on their necessity for economic growth and national security. The following factors were identified in selecting the critical minerals:

  • contribution to Canada's economic and national security;
  • role in achieving Canada's transition to low-carbon futures; and
  • requirements by Canada's international allies, such as the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, which may need these minerals for economic and national security reasons.

The 31 critical minerals listed below include minerals used in various strategic industries, such as clean energy, consumer electronics, critical infrastructure, agriculture, advanced manufacturing supply chains, and defence. The consumer applications of these critical minerals include batteries, solar panels, permanent magnets, and wind turbines.

Aluminum Gallium Molybdenum Tellurium
Antimony Germanium Nickel Tin
Bismuth Graphite Niobium Titanium
Cesium Helium Platinum group metals Tungsten
Chromium Indium Potash Uranium
Cobalt Lithium Rare earth elements Vanadium
Copper Magnesium Scandium Zinc
Fluorspar Manganese Tantalum
 

Why Critical Minerals?

Due to the limited geographical distribution of these minerals around the world, they are prone to geopolitical risks and supply issues, including export restrictions. For example, Canada is one of the few Western nations with abundant deposits of lithium, graphite, cobalt, and nickel, all of which play an integral role in pursuing net-zero 2050 goals through their application in clean energy, electric vehicles, and batteries. In addition, critical minerals identified in Canada, such as niobium and indium, have applications in the aerospace, defence, and IT industries.

In announcing the list, Canada has stated that it recognizes that economic and national security is anticipated to increasingly depend on the stable, secure supply of these 31 critical minerals. On January 9, 2020, Canada and the Unites States announced the Canada-U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration. In this bilateral initiative, the two countries confirmed their interest in cooperating to improve economic and national security through stabilizing the development and supply of critical minerals. The list affirms Canada's alignment of interests with the United States in ensuring open and free market for these critical minerals that are essential for Canada and its international allies.

Takeaways

The list confirms Canada's rising focus on exploration, development, and attracting investment into these strategic commodities. This is important given the increasing demand for these minerals, the existing geo-political risks inherent in current supply sources, and increasing interest in sustainably produced minerals.

While no government funding programs (e.g., geoscience programs) or specific policies were contained in the announcement, there appears to be growing government enthusiasm to promote and grow the domestic industry. We anticipate that, in time, policies and programs will emerge with a focus on support for the identification, development, and exploitation of these commodities and will include prioritizing infrastructure to support such efforts.

Bennett Jones is a leading advisor to mining industry participants and assists mining companies in project development, acquisition, and financing. Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Bennett Jones Mining or ESG group if you have any questions.

Authors

  • Radha D. Curpen Radha D. Curpen, Vancouver Managing Partner
  • Sharon G.K. Singh Sharon G.K. Singh, Partner
  • Sander A.J.R. Grieve Sander A.J.R. Grieve, Partner
  • Kenryo  Mizutani Kenryo Mizutani, Articling Student

Read the New Energy Economy Series

Related Links

  • Insights
  • Media
  • Subscribe

Recent Posts

Blog

Recent Amendments to the British Columbia Health, [...]

April 14, 2021
       

Blog

Important Changes to the Alberta Business Corporations Act Now in Effect

April 13, 2021
       

Blog

Prompt Payment Legislation in Alberta: More Changes and Clarifications

April 13, 2021
       

Blog

Yukon Zinc: Reining in the Ability to Disclaim Contracts [...]

April 09, 2021
       

Blog

Canada Imposes New Sanctions on Russian and Ukrainian [...]

April 05, 2021
       

The firm that businesses trust with their most complex legal matters.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use

© Bennett Jones LLP 2021. All rights reserved. Bennett Jones refers collectively to the Canadian legal practice of Bennett Jones LLP and the international legal practices and consulting activities of various entities which are associated with Bennett Jones LLP

Logo Bennett Jones