Critical Minerals – March 2025 Review
Federal News
Government of Canada Welcomes Proposal from Electra Battery Materials That Will Strengthen Canada’s Critical Minerals Value Chain
The federal government is committed to expanding Canada’s critical minerals value chains to power clean technologies. The growing demand for critical minerals represents a generational opportunity for Canada to build the strongest economy in the G7, anchor supply chains and support the shift to a net-zero economy.
Marc G. Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, welcomed Electra Battery Materials’ (Electra) proposal to transform its Temiskaming Shores facility into a cobalt sulfate refinery production plant.
This proposal will support Canada’s position as a key player in the critical mineral and electric vehicle (EV) battery industry. Electra will process one of the six critical minerals identified as a priority under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. Canadian cobalt sulphate production will enable the automotive industry to have access to necessary battery materials, and it will encourage the growth of several sectors such as EVs, medical therapeutics and defence manufacturing.
Team Canada in Houston Stands Up for Canadian Energy and Critical Minerals
Canada is an energy superpower. From electricity to nuclear fuels, to oil and gas, Canadian energy powers American homes, supports thousands of good jobs and underpins the economy on both sides of the border. Canada is a reliable economic partner and is actively advancing energy and minerals cooperation with allies around the world, building on the trade agreements we have with over 50 countries, including all members of the G7.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, attended CERAWeek 2025 to advocate for Canadian energy interests, including an end to unjustified
tariffs and tariff threats from the U.S. Tariffs make life more expensive for people on both sides of the border by driving up the cost of electricity, gasoline, home construction, fertilizer — and therefore food — as well as harming manufacturing industries.
In a series of events and discussions with industry leaders, government officials and key international partners, the Minister emphasized Canada’s role as a trusted and reliable energy supplier. He noted that Canada is advancing major projects, such as LNG Canada; numerous critical minerals projects; the reliability of interprovincial power grids; and supporting the expansion of renewable energy production. These advancements will help allies address their energy security needs and secure vital critical minerals by reducing their reliance on less-friendly sources. CERAWeek 2025 presented an opportunity for the Minister to reiterate Canada’s commitment to driving innovation in the energy sector, speeding up permitting and advancing efforts to achieving energy security and affordability goals. Areas highlighted at CERA included Canadian leadership in critical mineral supply chains; Canada-U.S. energy security; opportunities for Indigenous partnerships in the energy sector; artificial intelligence; and clean technologies.
While in Houston, Minister Wilkinson met with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. They spoke about and recognized the importance and interconnectedness of the Canada-U.S. energy relationship. Minister Wilkinson emphasized the detrimental impacts tariffs and tariff threats are having on people and the economic interests on both sides of the border. These trade actions are jeopardizing a long-standing relationship that has fostered shared prosperity for generations, while also undermining North American security and stability.
Minister Wilkinson also met with Mexico’s Secretary of Energy, Luz Elena Gonzalez, the European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, and other international partners to emphasize that Canada is open for business as a stable, reliable energy supplier for the world.
CERAWeek 2025 is part of a concerted effort by the Government of Canada to advance secure, sustainable energy solutions; foster international collaboration; and position Canada as a safe and reliable supplier of energy and critical minerals.
Minister Anandasangaree Announces Investment Supporting Mineral Exploration Promotion Across All Territories
Resource development makes up about one-third of GDP in Canada’s North, driving economic success for both Northerners and Canadians. Mining exploration and development projects have the potential to sustain northern economies for many years to come and play a key role in the prosperity and economic growth of local communities.
At the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2025 Convention, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for CanNor, announced a federal investment of up to $420,000 to the governments of Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. This funding will support a collaborative project among the territorial governments to attract investment and strengthen the growth of the mining sector in the North through strategic promotional activities at leading industry events.
Through this investment, the Government of Canada, through CanNor, is enabling the territorial governments to draw more domestic and foreign investors to the responsibly-sourced resource and critical minerals sector in the North.
Advancing Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy to Strengthen Supply Chains and Global Competitiveness at PDAC 2025
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, concluded his participation at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada 2025 Convention in Toronto, Ontario. The Convention was an opportunity for the Government of Canada to showcase the progress made in the critical minerals sector since launching the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy in 2022. Canada is proud to highlight the momentum from various levels of government and the private sector to expand Canadian critical mineral production and exports while addressing growing demand and reducing global reliance on non-aligned countries.
At the Convention, Minister Wilkinson announced:
- Up to $50 million to advance work under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy to support infrastructure development, innovation and data collection while partnering with Indigenous communities on the engagement, participation and capacity building needed to achieve Canada’s potential as a world leader in sustainable and responsibly sourced critical minerals.
- The official launch of the second CFP under the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, with over $500 million in available funding for clean energy and transportation
infrastructure projects to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals production in Canada.
- A proposed extension of the 15-percent Mineral Exploration Tax Credit for investors in flow-through shares until March 31, 2027.
Together, these investments, among others, will help expand critical mineral resources in Canada, boost economic growth, reduce emissions by advancing clean technologies and advance Indigenous economic participation while creating jobs for Canadians.
These announcements came as Minister Wilkinson also met again with his provincial and territorial counterparts to ramp up their joint efforts for supporting Canada’s resource industries against the new tariffs on Canadian exports to the United States. Minister Wilkinson and his fellow provincial and territorial ministers for energy and mining agreed their Team Canada approach to U.S. protectionism must include getting good resource projects built faster while continuing to advance environmental protections and Indigenous collaboration, as well as strengthening Canada’s supply chains, energy security and infrastructure and pursuing new markets, both at home and abroad.
Through keynote addresses and participation in roundtables with industry leaders, government officials and international partners, the Minister shared Canada’s vision for the critical minerals sector, highlighted the important strides we are taking to build Canada’s supply chains and addressed the gaps we need to close to ensure success at home and on the world stage. The Minister participated in roundtables with industry partners where he reiterated the need to accelerate and increase Canadian production and supply of critical minerals and discussed possible solutions to trade barriers, infrastructure deficits and government supports. He highlighted the vital importance of critical minerals in national and continental security. He also met with financial institutions and industry stakeholders on attracting the capital investment needed to get projects built for the continued development of Canada’s critical mineral value chains.
Minister Wilkinson met with several international partners on the margins of the Convention on Canada’s critical mineral potential, expanding global market access and strengthening energy security for allied countries. Also in these discussions, he reiterated that Canada’s G7 presidency will focus on demonstrating our leadership and advancing meaningful dialogue, collective action and innovative solutions for the benefit of all peoples.
Lastly, at the Convention, the Minister signed the Collaboration Arrangement on Critical Minerals and Mining Sustainability with Argentina, which aims to make mining more sustainable by improving funding tools, tax policies, environmental and social standards,
technology and workforce development. In addition, the Minister met with his counterpart from the Netherlands, with whom he discussed ways to increase collaboration on critical minerals and hydrogen, with a special focus on investment opportunities to grow Canada’s critical minerals market in Europe.
Government Invests to Help Accelerate Innovation in Canada’s Mining Industry
Viviane Lapointe, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced an investment of $5 million in the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation Inc. (CEMI) to support the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network.
Headquartered in Sudbury, Ontario, MICA has developed an ecosystem to modernize mining, improve productivity and environmental performance, strengthen the industry’s supply chain, and increase the domestic and export sales of innovative products across the country.
Since its creation in 2021, MICA has supported the creation of over 435 jobs and mobilized investments of approximately $170 million from the private sector.
This investment will support Canada’s mining sector in delivering minerals to the world more quickly and efficiently, expediting the global shift toward net zero, and positioning Canada as a leader in the global market for net-zero technologies. This project supports the Government of Canada’s goal of making Canada a leading producer of zero-emission products and technologies.
Investing to Make Canada a Global Critical Minerals Superpower
At the 2025 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced additional measures to further develop Canada’s critical minerals advantage.
First, this includes a two-year extension of the 15-percent Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC) for investors in flow-through shares until March 31, 2027. The METC provides important support to junior exploration, mining and mineral processing companies. This extension is expected to provide $110 million to support exploration investment across Canada, including in discovering new mineral deposits, developing mining sites and driving regional economic growth, particularly in Indigenous northern and remote communities.
The Minister also announced the official launch of a second Call for Proposals under the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF), with up to $500 million in funding available for energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to accelerate mining and enable the development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada. This new call for proposals follows the first one launched last year, which has now conditionally approved 31 projects, pending final due diligence, with over $300 million in support, spurring job creation and economic growth.
By developing and expanding critical minerals production, including by fostering the growth of an end-to-end value chain, Canada can create good jobs for Canadian workers and businesses, bolster its energy security, reduce our reliance on authoritarian governments and contribute to a resilient and secure economic future.
Lastly, to support infrastructure development, innovation and data collection, while partnering with Indigenous communities on engagement, participation and capacity, Minister Wilkinson also announced a total investment up to $50 million in critical mineral projects.
These announcements will further support Canada as a global leader, a reliable supplier and ally of choice of critical minerals to the world, which are increasingly in demand to power the economy of the future — including semiconductors and processing chips, batteries and clean energy technologies, and much more.
Provincial News
New Framework Introduced for First Nations Consultation on Mining Claims
The Province is introducing new tools and guidance to support changes to B.C.’s mineral tenure system, required to address a 2023 court ruling.
The new Mineral Claims Consultation Framework (MCCF) ensures the claims registration process includes consultation with First Nations, while enabling mineral resource development opportunities.
The 2023 B.C. Supreme Court ruling in Gitxaała vs. British Columbia established that First Nations need to be consulted at the time of claim staking, a shift from the previous practice where consultation began during the permitting phase for exploration.
“We understand that working together is our strength, and we are committed to advancing a thriving mineral exploration and mining sector in close partnership and collaboration with First Nations,” said Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals. “Through the MCCF, we are ensuring we address our constitutional obligations, and bringing certainty to the earliest stages of the mineral exploration process. We will continue to monitor and improve the framework to ensure that it is straightforward, fair and results in timely decisions.”
The MCCF was developed through consultation with First Nations and engagement with industry, and will be implemented using existing legislative and regulatory tools. It is designed to ensure the Province meets its duty to consult, while providing an efficient pathway for mineral claim registration in consideration of First Nations’ rights and interests.
Under the MCCF, individuals with a Free Miner Certificate can apply for a mineral or placer claim by filling out an online application in the Mineral Titles Online (MTO) system. The fee amounts remain the same.
Once an application is received, provincial staff will consult with First Nations. The chief gold commissioner will determine whether the duty to consult has been met and if the claim should be registered, registered with accommodations, or denied. All decisions will be published in the MTO system, ensuring the process remains fair and transparent for all parties involved.
All pre-existing claims in the MTO system will remain valid. The rights and activities associated with all pre-existing and new claims will remain unchanged.
Manitoba Government Partnering with Mining Association of Manitoba Inc. to Grow Critical Mineral Market
The Manitoba government is partnering with the Mining Association of Manitoba Inc. (MAMI) through a $1.5 million-investment to develop and deliver an internationally focused critical minerals marketing campaign to attract foreign investment to the province and diversify export markets, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced.
“We know the world needs Manitoba’s minerals and our government is committed to strengthening and growing our mineral economy with good Manitoba jobs for Manitobans,” said Moses. “We’re working with MAMI to increase and diversify investment in Manitoba’s critical mineral industry and Trump-proof the economy in the midst of the U.S. tariffs.”
The internationally focused campaign will aim to attract new industry partners in Europe and around the globe and lessen reliance on the U.S., noted the minister.
“We are excited to showcase Manitoba’s critical minerals to world,” said Stacy Kennedy, president, Mining Association of Manitoba Inc. “Manitoba critical minerals are vital to the global economy and MAMI, and we thank the provincial government for the opportunity to attract new capital for important projects.”
According to Natural Resources Canada, in 2023, 56 per cent of Canada’s mineral exports went to the United States. Manitoba is home to multiple critical minerals of worldwide interest, with 30 of 34 minerals on Canada’s 2024 critical minerals list, 45 out of the 50 minerals on the United States’ critical mineral list and 24 out of the 34 minerals on the European Union’s list.
The grant and proposed campaign will help address the need for new investment partners for Manitoba’s mineral industry, help reduce the long-term effects of tariffs on Manitoba’s critical mineral sector and increase investment from international markets, added Moses.
Manitoba Government Announces New Mine Will Create Hundreds of Jobs in Northern Manitoba
Premier Wab Kinew and Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses joined Marcel Colomb First Nation, Mathias Colomb Cree Nation and Alamos Gold at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction for a new gold mine near the town of Lynn Lake.
“Alamos Gold’s generational expansion project will benefit Indigenous nations and northern Manitoba with hundreds of good jobs,” said Kinew. “We’re proud to get a new mine to the construction phase within just 18 months of taking office. Now more than ever, we need to create economic opportunities in our province and lay the groundwork for new trade partnerships.”
The project is the first new mine to open in Manitoba in over 15 years and will begin with the development of two primary gold deposits, noted the premier. The overall mine life is 27 years.
“By working together with Alamos Gold, First Nations and northern communities, we’re growing the economy and creating good jobs in Manitoba,” said Moses. “Manitoba has the minerals the world needs and with this new mine – the first in 15 years – we’re creating new opportunities to develop trade relationships and bring significant economic benefits to the north and the entire province.”
The project’s two mine sites and work camp are projected to generate more than 600 construction jobs over the project’s two-year construction phase and sustain approximately 450 jobs during its operation, including training and hiring northern Manitobans, noted the minister.
“We are pleased to be breaking ground on the Lynn Lake project, a key part of Alamos’ long-term growth strategy,” said John A. McCluskey, president and chief executive officer, Alamos Gold. “Achieving this milestone would not have been possible without the strong support of the Manitoba government, our First Nation community partners and the Town of Lynn Lake. With a 27-year mine life and significant potential across the Lynn Lake district, we look forward to working together as we invest in the people and long-term future of northern Manitoba.”
“Today’s groundbreaking event is historic for Marcel Colomb First Nation,” said Chief Delhia Hart, Marcel Colomb First Nation. “After years of living in the outskirts of a mining town in our own traditional lands, it’s the first time our nation has been involved in a mining project since industry came into our traditional lands. The new mining partners will help with the economic growth and prosperity for our nation well into the future for our grandchildren and future generations to come.”
Since 2016, Alamos has engaged with several First Nation communities on the Lynn Lake Gold Project. Alamos and Marcel Colomb First Nation signed an impact benefit agreement in June 2023 to share revenue and provide training and jobs under a hire-local-first policy anticipated to create significant employment and economic opportunities, noted the minister.
Government of Saskatchewan Well Represented at Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention in Toronto
Energy and Resources Minister Colleen Young, along with representatives from the Government of Saskatchewan, are in Toronto, Ontario this week for the annual Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention. Over the four-day convention, PDAC will bring together almost 30,000 attendees from over 135 countries.
The Ministry of Energy and Resources will be joined at PDAC by the Ministry of Trade and Export Development and the Saskatchewan Research Council. Together they will host a pavilion at the convention trade show. The pavilion is an excellent opportunity for both national and international delegates to speak with government officials about the opportunities for mining, developments in geoscience and investment in Saskatchewan.
“For over 30 years the Government of Saskatchewan has attended PDAC and since that time we have grown our presence and our outreach efforts,” Young said. “PDAC truly is an excellent opportunity to build relationships and grow Saskatchewan’s mining sector. PDAC is one of the world’s premier mineral exploration and mining events. I look forward to meeting with current partners and potential investors while I am in Toronto.”
In addition to the Saskatchewan booth, PDAC provides learning and networking opportunities for attendees. Government officials will also be meeting with investors and stakeholders on site. As Canada’s largest mining convention, and one of the world’s largest mining and exploring events, PDAC provides an excellent opportunity for the province to showcase Saskatchewan as a key player in the industry and an open and attractive place to invest in.
Ontario Welcomes Frontier Lithium’s Critical Mineral Refinery in Thunder Bay
The Ontario government welcomed Frontier Lithium Inc.’s proposal to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to build a first-of-its-kind lithium refinery in Thunder Bay. This refinery would result in hundreds of new, full-time jobs and support Ontario’s emerging end-to-end
critical mineral supply chain, with critical minerals mined and refined in Ontario by Ontario workers.
“Our government is working with Frontier Lithium and the federal government to protect Ontario workers and jobs by mining and refining our critical minerals right here in Ontario,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “The frontline of our battle against Donald Trump’s tariffs starts in northern Ontario with our abundant supply of critical minerals. Frontier Lithium’s interest in expanding their production of strategic minerals in Ontario is yet another vote of confidence in Ontario’s workers and business environment.”
Frontier Lithium is working with the provincial and federal governments towards an agreement that would, subject to final conditions, see the company develop and operate a lithium chemicals conversion facility in Thunder Bay. This facility would be part of Frontier Lithium’s PAK Lithium Project, which aims to be the first fully integrated lithium development initiative in Canada and will be an important part of the province’s developing made-in-Ontario critical mineral supply chain.
Ontario has significant deposits of lithium, which is a strategically important material in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market. With an emerging end-to-end EV and EV battery manufacturing supply chain, Ontario is well positioned to become a global leader as both a critical mineral supplier and EV manufacturer.
Nova Scotia Advancing Critical Mineral Opportunities
Premier Tim Houston attended a major international mining conference to tell developers and investors that Nova Scotia is open for business and eager to advance critical minerals opportunities.
The Premier spoke at the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto, March 4.
“Nova Scotia has the critical minerals that the world needs for clean energy, food production, defence, healthcare and more. We can be a reliable, ethical, sustainable source of these materials and reap the economic rewards for Nova Scotians,” said Premier Houston. “We are lifting bans, breaking down barriers and inviting good companies to come talk to us about investing in Nova Scotia. We’re also taking steps in the province to better understand the full potential of our critical mineral resources.”
The Department of Natural Resources is using $1 million from Natural Resources Canada for two projects to learn more about how the province’s critical minerals can be developed.
The Department will use half the funding to study how critical minerals can be extracted from greenfield and brownfield sites, such as historic mine tailings sites. The study will also look at opportunities for turning the raw materials into finished products. Keeping the full value chain in the province – from exploration and mining to finished products – means more jobs and other economic benefits for Nova Scotians.
The Department will use the rest of the money to create a model of the critical mineral potential in Nova Scotia. It will be used to encourage investment and inform development decisions in the private sector. It will also help the Department with effective land management.
Also at the conference, Canada’s energy and mines ministers met to discuss the country’s opportunities with critical minerals. Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton joined virtually. The ministers confirmed their commitment to working together to advance priority resource projects and to streamline regulatory processes while still upholding strong environmental and labour standards.