Critical Minerals Review - March 2026

Minister Hodgson Advances Energy Security and International Partnerships in Poland and France

Canada is strengthening domestic and international economic and energy security by working with allies to diversify trade, secure investment and sell our best-in-class energy and minerals to the world.

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, visited Warsaw, Poland, and Paris, France, to advance these priorities.

The Minister attended the International Energy Agency (IEA) Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France, where he met with leaders from the European Union, New Zealand, Norway, Türkiye and the United Kingdom and chaired a critical minerals dialogue with government and industry leaders, to match French and European investors with Canadian mining investment opportunities. Pointing to Canada’s 2025 G7 Presidency and our introduction of the Canada-led Critical Minerals Production Alliance, Minister Hodgson reiterated that Canada is a stable, reliable partner for energy and mining investment and trade.

Minister Tim Hodgson Meets with New Zealand Minister of Energy, Simon Watts

Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, met with New Zealand’s Minister of Climate Change, Minister of Energy, Minister for Local Government and Minister of Revenue, Simon Watts, during the International Energy Agency Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France.

The Ministers discussed co-operation on multilateral critical mineral mechanisms and avenues for broader co-operation on energy system resilience and transition. They highlighted the importance of supporting the active participation of Indigenous Peoples in resource development, noting opportunities to align on best practices between New Zealand and Canada.

Minister Tim Hodgson Meets with Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister Energy and Natural Resources, met with Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, during the International Energy Agency Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France. The Ministers discussed opportunities for collaboration on nuclear energy, the mining and processing of critical minerals, and liquefied natural gas.

Minister Tim Hodgson Meets with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, met with the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, on the margins of the International Energy Agency Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France.

The two ministers discussed further co-operation on multilateral critical mineral mechanisms, including the Critical Minerals Production Alliance and the Critical Minerals Action Plan, and opportunities to deepen collaboration on nuclear energy, particularly fusion technologies.

Minister Tim Hodgson Meets with European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen

Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hodgson, met with European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, during the International Energy Agency Ministerial Meeting in Paris, France to advance Canada–European Union (EU) energy security and clean growth co-operation.

Minister Hodgson reaffirmed Canada’s enduring commitment to transatlantic stability and Arctic co-operation. The Minister and the Commissioner discussed further co-operation on multilateral critical minerals mechanisms, including the Critical Minerals Production Alliance and Critical Minerals Action Plan. Building on the direction provided in the EU–Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future launched in June 2025, the Minister and Commissioner discussed EU instruments that could facilitate enhanced Canada–EU trade and investment, including the EU’s aggregate liquefied natural gas (LNG) purchasing mechanism.

Supporting Tech Companies to Boost B.C. Critical Minerals Sector

As part of the implementation of the Look West economic strategy, B.C. businesses now have new opportunities to test, deploy and scale cutting-edge technology that can support the continued growth of B.C.’s mining and critical minerals sector.

The first project through the new testbed will see a partnership between North Vancouver’s EMP Metals and Richmond-based Saltworks Technologies. These companies will work on a demonstration plant that will turn Saskatchewan’s high-quality lithium brines into battery-grade chemicals. This technology will boost B.C.’s capacity to produce battery-grade lithium, while supporting high-value, innovative employment in the province, resulting in approximately 18 new jobs and 24 sustained positions.

Support for Mining and Critical Minerals

Through the Integrated Marketplace, delivered by Innovate BC, B.C. businesses have access to a new provincewide mining and critical minerals testbed, which links technology providers with potential industrial buyers. Projects at the testbed will focus on:

AI and software-enabled productivity solutions
Power supply and alternative energy solutions to power mines
Low-emission vehicles and fleet management
Traceability in supply chains through digital credentialling
Mineral processing focused on innovation in waste streams, reduced chemical consumption and value-added processing

Helping Companies Boost Canada’s Critical Minerals Supply

The new mining and critical minerals testbed is open to companies located anywhere in the province. The testbed is designed to accelerate the development, validation and deployment of cutting-edge technologies in the mining and critical minerals sectors.

The testbed offers companies the opportunity to demonstrate that products can comply with regulatory requirements, which can:

Help improve permitting and groundbreaking
Support operations of B.C. mines
Strengthen supply chains and mineral processing

Province Approves Copper Mountain Mine Expansion

The Government has issued Mines Act and Environmental Management Act permits for the New Ingerbelle expansion at the Copper Mountain mine, an operating open-pit copper-gold mine located near Princeton. The permits allow the mine to continue operations beyond 2040, supporting jobs and economic stability in the region.

Copper Mountain currently employs approximately 800 people. The extension will help maintain these jobs for years to come, helping support local communities where the majority of workers are from. This marks the third major mine permit approval in 2026, following the Eskay Creek and Mount Milligan permits issued in January. It is the sixth approval in the past 12 months, including Dome Mountain, the Quintette Mine restart and the Highland Valley Copper expansion.

The New Ingerbelle project involves a three-phase expansion of the existing Ingerbelle Pit, extending the life of Copper Mountain operations beyond 2040. Over the mine’s extended lifespan, it is projected to produce approximately 750,000 tonnes of copper, 900,000 ounces (25,500 kilograms) of gold, and 5.5 million ounces (156,000 kilograms) of silver based on current reserves. Beyond its mineral output, the expansion will act as an economic engine for British Columbia, generating a projected $11.5 billion in provincial gross domestic product, supporting long-term jobs and regional economic stability.

Adding Three Mining Projects to Critical Minerals Office

The Province has identified Northisle Copper and Gold Inc.’s North Island Project, Surge Copper Corp.’s Berg Project and Defense Metals Corp.’s Wicheeda Project to work with the Critical Minerals Office to support early co-ordination as the projects prepares for environmental assessment and future permitting processes.

The Critical Minerals Office works with selected advanced project proponents to accelerate their permitting processes by helping co-ordinate First Nations and community engagement, identify regulatory requirements early, align permitting pathways and support readiness for future environmental-assessment and regulatory processes. This co-ordination supports projects in advancing through to operating mines through efficient processes and early preparedness without changing permitting standards or regulatory decisions.

Supporting Project Readiness

Northisle Copper and Gold has completed a preliminary economic assessment and continues technical and planning work as it prepares for the environmental-assessment process. Early co-ordination through the Critical Minerals Office helps identify requirements and timelines sooner, supporting efficient entry into permitting processes.

Surge Copper is advancing the Berg copper-molybdenum project and continues technical and baseline work to support the imminent release of its pre-feasibility study and entry into the environmental-assessment process.

Defense Metals Corp. has completed a pre-feasibility study. It is undertaking the environmental baseline, confirmatory metallurgical studies and engineering planning work required to advance the Wicheeda Project through feasibility-level studies and into environmental-assessment and permitting processes. Dedicated project-specific support secures advanced alignment on a transparent and efficient regulatory pathway for all parties involved.

Projects are selected for the Critical Minerals Office based on established criteria, including working relationships with local First Nations, geological potential, project readiness, commodity type and other factors.

Sandvik Breaks Ground on $51 Million Mining Equipment Manufacturing Facility

Legislative Secretary Responsible for Trade and Export Development, Jamie Martens joined Sandvik on behalf of Minister Warren Kaeding to break ground on a new mining equipment manufacturing and servicing facility in Saskatoon. The facility will bring mechanical cutting, parts, services and aftermarket support under one roof to drive efficiency in the mining sector across Central and Western Canada.

The facility is expected to be operational later this year and will create approximately 30 new skilled labour positions for mechanical cutting, assembly, service and maintenance of products. This work has historically been done overseas, but will now be offered in Saskatoon, bringing more good jobs home to the people of this province. Sandvik is a multinational engineering and equipment manufacturer operating across 150 countries.

Marten Falls First Nation Submits Environmental Assessment Supporting Roads to the Ring of Fire

Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, released the following statement:

“On behalf of Premier Ford and the Government of Ontario, I sincerely congratulate Marten Falls First Nation on submitting the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road. With the submission of the EA and Ontario’s signing of the cooperation agreement with the federal government, we remain on track to get shovels in the ground on this project as soon as August 2026.

The proposed Marten Falls Community Access Road would connect Marten Falls First Nation to Ontario’s provincial highway network, increasing access, helping foster current and future economic development opportunities as well as improving quality of life for community members. We are continuing to build on our Community Partnership Agreement with Marten Falls First Nation to unlock the Ring of Fire while advancing shared priorities and developing legacy infrastructure and community supports.

With the potential to add $22 billion and 70,000 jobs to Ontario’s economy, the Ring of Fire is a multi-generational opportunity that could provide better access to social and health services, create economic and training opportunities, improve food security and reduce the cost of living for First Nations and Northern Ontario communities. In lockstep with First Nations, we are creating the conditions for meaningful employment and economic opportunities spanning generations.

We look forward to working alongside Chief Bruce Achneepineskum and all the community members of Marten Falls First Nation as we continue our government-to-government partnership and shared goals of providing reliable year-round access to the community, while addressing community priorities and advancing economic reconciliation.”

Ontario Fast-Tracks One of Canada’s Premier Gold Mines Under ‘One Project, One Process’

Minister Stephen Lecce announced the Ontario government is accelerating Kinross Gold Corporation’s Great Bear Project under the ‘One Project, One Process’ framework, the first gold mine and the third project overall to be accepted under the new framework launched

this past October. As part of its plan to protect Ontario workers and communities, the government is unlocking the full potential of the province’s metals and mining sector through the new framework, with this project marking another key step in building a fully integrated and self-reliant mining supply chain. The project represents a more than $5 billion capital investment and is expected to create 900 jobs during its operational life, with peak employment reaching 1,100 workers. Thousands of additional construction and indirect jobs will also be created during the build-out phase in 2027 to 2029, delivering new economic opportunities to the region.

Located 24 kilometers southeast of Red Lake in northwestern Ontario, a town with a long mining history, the Great Bear Project is a high-grade combined open-pit and underground mine with an initial mine life of 12 years. This project is cornerstone of Kinross’ global development portfolio and has potential to become one of Canada’s premier gold operations. Kinross’ preliminary economic assessment outlines a high-grade operation producing an average of over 500,000 ounces of gold per year at its peak and a potential for 5.3 million ounces of initial production, with longer-term expansion potential supported by an ongoing regional exploration program.

This designation complements other work underway in the Red Lake region to unlock economic growth and opportunity including the consultation on the Red Lake Transmission Line, a proposed line that would run from Dryden to Red Lake to power new mines and growing communities.

Premier Promotes Critical Minerals Opportunities to Developers, Investors

Premier Tim Houston is attending the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference from March 1 to 3 in Toronto.

The major international mining conference will connect developers and investors directly with decision-makers from Nova Scotia to discuss critical mineral opportunities. While in Toronto, the Premier is scheduled to make an announcement with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. He will also meet with Tjorven Bellmann, the German Ambassador to Canada, to discuss economic co-operation and attend the federal, provincial and territorial energy and mines ministers’ conference.