Critical minerals: an opportunity for Canada
Building an opportunity for future generations
Critical minerals are the foundation on which modern technology is built upon. They’re used in a wide range of essential products, from your mobile phone to solar panels to electric vehicle batteries to medical applications. By building critical mineral value chains, we can help supply the world with responsibly sourced products, mitigating the risk of global supply chain disruption.
Our future depends on critical minerals
Critical minerals are the building blocks for the green and digital economy. By investing in critical minerals today, we’re building a stable industry for future generations in Canada.
Renewable energy production and storage
Electric vehicle batteries and motors
Defence and security technologies
Consumer electronics
Critical infrastructures
Canada’s critical minerals list
Canada’s Critical Minerals List identifies 31 minerals and metals considered essential for the sustainable economic success of Canada and its trading partners. The Canadian industry already produces 21 of the 31 critical minerals on the list, with potential for further resource development.
We developed this list using a criteria-based approach and in consultation with provinces, territories as well as exploration, mining and manufacturing industries and associations.
Federal, provincial and territorial collaboration is essential to advance the critical mineral file and seize opportunities. The federal government engaged with provinces and territories through a task team to help refine and support Canada’s list of critical minerals.
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List of 31 critical minerals depicted in the shape of a maple leaf. The critical minerals are listed with some examples provided. The 31 critical minerals are:
- Aluminum
- Antimony
- Bismuth
- Cesium
- Chromium
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Fluorspar
- Gallium
- Germanium
- Graphite
- Helium
- Indium
- Lithium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Nickel
- Niobium
- Platinum group metals
- Potash
- Rare earth elements
- Scandium
- Tantalum
- Tellurium
- Tin
- Titanium
- Tungsten
- Uranium
- Vanadium
- Zinc
Critical mineral development across Canada
Critical mineral mines, smelters, refineries or advanced projects are located in all Canadian provinces and territories, except for Prince Edward Island.
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- Alberta has advanced projects and smelters or refineries that are labelled as lithium, nickel, cobalt and titanium.
- British Columbia has advanced projects, smelters or refineries, and mines that are labelled as molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, copper, zinc, bismuth, indium and germanium.
- Manitoba has advanced projects and mines that are labelled as nickel, copper, and cobalt.
- New Brunswick has advanced projects that are labelled as tin, tungsten, indium, and gallium.
- Newfoundland and Labrador has advanced projects, mines, and smelters or refineries that are labelled as rare earth elements, nickel, cobalt, antimony, and fluorspar.
- The Northwest Territories has advanced projects that are labelled as rare earth elements, cobalt, bismuth, and copper.
- Nova Scotia has advanced projects that are labelled as tin, tungsten, indium, and gallium.
- Nunavut has advanced projects that are labelled as zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group elements.
- Ontario has advanced projects, mines, and smelters or refineries that are labelled as chromium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group elements.
- Quebec has advanced projects, mines, and smelters or refineries that are labelled as lithium, magnesium, rare earth elements, graphite, titanium, nickel, cobalt, platinum group metals, vanadium, niobium, and aluminum.
- Saskatchewan has advanced projects, mines, and smelters or refineries that are labelled as uranium, potash, and helium.
- Yukon has advanced projects that are labelled as copper and tungsten.
Connect with us
Have questions or comments?
Email the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence at cmce-cemc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
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