Our critical minerals strategic partnerships
Building Canadian-based critical minerals value chains is a long-term, multi-stakeholder objective that requires full cooperation with industry, provincial, territorial, Indigenous and international partners. Our strategic partnerships inform the Government of Canada’s approach to critical minerals development.
On this page
- Industry engagement in critical minerals
- Indigenous engagement and participation in critical minerals
- Provincial and territorial partnerships
- International partnerships
- Contact us
Industry engagement in critical minerals
Canada’s engagement with the critical minerals industry aims to strengthen government-industry collaboration by enabling more reliable information sharing, fostering innovation in policy development and implementation, and informing a unified Canadian voice on the international stage. The Government of Canada engages industry through conversations on policy, funding, and research partnerships and services like the Concierge Service of the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence, which aims to support industry in navigating funding and regulatory questions.
Indigenous engagement and participation in critical minerals
Canada recognizes that Indigenous Peoples are the stewards, rights holders, and in many cases, title holders to the land upon which mineral development takes place. The success of Canadian critical minerals development is contingent on respect for Indigenous and treaty rights, and meaningful engagement, partnership and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples.
Advancing reconciliation is a key pillar of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, and Canada has several initiatives designed to strengthen the engagement and participation of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in the sector. Relevant initiatives include:
- Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund
- Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships program
- Northern Regulatory Initiative
The Government of Canada continues to engage Indigenous groups and partners on these initiatives on an ongoing basis. Canada is also committed to seeking input and feedback on funding initiatives to ensure they are accessible, applicable, and relevant to Indigenous interests and priorities.
In the context of specific critical minerals projects, Canada will continue to honour treaty obligations and uphold the duty to consult, with the aim of securing the free, prior, and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples.
Provincial and territorial partnerships
Mining is primarily within the purview of provincial and territorial governments. Critical minerals exist in almost every province and territory, and several provinces have developed critical minerals strategies to support value chain integration in line with federal priorities. Common priorities include attracting investment, enhancing economic opportunities for Indigenous communities, enabling key infrastructure, improving regulatory efficiency, and advancing geoscience research.
The Government of Canada will continue to advance federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) cooperation through multilateral forums such as:
Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference
The Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference (EMMC) is an annual gathering of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for energy and mining portfolios. At these meetings, ministers discuss shared priorities for collaborative action to advance energy and mining development across the country.
Intergovernmental Working Group on the Mineral Industry (Mines IGWG)
The Intergovernmental Working Group on the Mineral Industry (Mines IGWG) promotes collaboration through bilateral and multilateral meetings, supporting senior-level engagements and encouraging FPT information sharing. This commitment is shared with:
- the Finance and Economic Subcommittee
- the National Geological Survey Committee
- the FPT Committee on Mineral Statistics
- the Mining Sector Performance Reports team
Regional Energy and Resource Tables
The Regional Energy and Resource Tables (Regional Tables) are joint partnerships between the federal government and individual provinces and territories, in collaboration with Indigenous partners and with the input of key stakeholders, to identify and accelerate the top economic priorities for a low-carbon future in the energy and resource sectors. Some provinces have established alternative mechanisms, including Alberta, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
Bilateral engagements will address projects and challenges of regional priority.
International partnerships
Canada is seeking to build more resilient critical minerals global supply chains by working with international partners to align policies; raise global economic, social and governance (ESG) standards; advance joint research and development (R&D); and encourage new investment opportunities, among other priorities. As part of this work, Canada is engaged in numerous international forums that aim to advance the development of critical minerals and critical minerals value chains. These include:
Critical Minerals Production Alliance
Launched by Canada during our G7 Presidency at the Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, (June 2025), the Critical Minerals Production Alliance (Alliance) is a Canada-led initiative that brings together trusted international partners to strengthen global critical mineral supply chains. The Alliance works to reduce dependencies by fostering secure, resilient and standards-based production networks.
Represented by envoys from each country, the Alliance focuses on accelerating critical mineral projects that support advanced manufacturing and defence, reduce vulnerabilities and promote sustainable resource development. By leveraging sovereign tools and high-standard partnerships, the Alliance mobilizes capital, drives innovation and advances shared prosperity.
Canada–European Union (EU) Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials
The primary mechanism for engaging the European Commission and EU Member States on Canada’s critical minerals and battery value chains. The overarching objective of the partnership is to advance the value, security and sustainability of trade and investment in regard to the critical minerals and metals needed for the transition to a green and digitalized economy. Agreed areas of collaboration include integration of raw materials value chains; science, technology and innovation collaboration; and collaboration in international forums to advance world-class ESG criteria and standards.
Canada–France Bilateral Dialogue on Critical Minerals
Announced on September 28, 2023, it is meant to strengthen cooperation to secure supply chains, foster R&D, and promote high ESG standards. This initiative builds on existing partnerships, including the Canada–EU Strategic Partnership on Raw Materials and the Sustainable Critical Minerals Alliance, supporting the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy and global collaboration for a sustainable, secure supply of these essential resources.
Canada–Germany Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals
In August 2025, Canada and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to deepen cooperation on critical mineral supply chains, including exploring project financing and investment, R&D, exchange on risk mitigation and resilience, and aligning policy and regulations.
Canada–Chile Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Critical Minerals and the Sustainable Development of Minerals and Metals
Signed in March 2024, this aims to help Canada and Chile achieve stronger and closer collaboration in the areas of critical minerals, value chains, innovation, competitiveness, and responsible and sustainable development of the mining sector in support of energy transition goals.
Canada–Japan Memorandum of Cooperation on Battery Supply Chains
Aims to ensure integrated, value-added investment into Canada’s upstream, midstream, and downstream battery supply chain sectors and encourage and facilitate collaboration and cooperation between governments, industry and research agencies.
Canada–South Korea MOU on Cooperation in Critical Minerals Supply Chains, the Clean Energy Transition and Energy Security
Aims to increase Korean investment in Canadian mineral and mining projects, including processing, and facilitate technical cooperation to secure global energy and critical minerals supply chains.
Canada–Australia Joint Declaration of Intent on Critical Minerals Cooperation
Aims to deepen Canada’s bilateral partnership with Australia to address the growing need for secure, diversified and resilient critical mineral supply chains that reduce reliance on any single source. Specific areas of cooperation include project financing, investment and trade; technology development and deployment; policy and regulatory alignment; standards-based markets; supply chain resilience; and information sharing.
Canada–Indonesia MOU on Critical Minerals Cooperation
As part of Canada and Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations, these two countries signed an MOU on critical minerals, which establishes a bilateral dialogue to discuss cooperation in ESG standards, among other areas.
Canada–United Kingdom Joint Statement of Intent on Critical Minerals and Critical Raw Materials Cooperation
Aims to deepen Canada and the United Kingdom’s engagement and cooperation on critical minerals supply chain resilience and trade, ESG credentials and research and innovation.
Canada–Italy Joint Statement on Critical Minerals and Critical Raw Materials Cooperation
The Canada-Italy joint statement aims to enhance cooperation on critical minerals through the promotion of trade and investment; and exchanges of policies, regulations, best practices and technical and ESG standards.
Other multilateral engagements
Through other multilateral engagements, Canada is pursuing collective action to build more resilient and responsible critical mineral supply chains. Notable multilateral organizations and initiatives include the G7 and the Conference on Critical Materials and Minerals; the G20; the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the World Bank Group and the Resilient and Inclusive Supply-Chain Enhancement (RISE) Partnership; the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF); and the Minerals Security Partnership, in addition to specific events, organizations and initiatives within regions.
Contact us
Have questions or comments? Contact the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence.
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