Federal support for critical mineral projects and value chains

The Government of Canada offers a wide range of programs and policies to support the development of critical mineral projects and value chains. The Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence is here to provide strategic guidance to help businesses make the most of these programs.

Open funding opportunities

Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program

Up to $5 million for technologies that are well advanced in helping Canada to produce key critical minerals and need a financial contribution to continue their development.

Investing in critical minerals

Canada’s approach to critical minerals is forward-looking, wide reaching and long-term. Investment in research and development (R&D) grew significantly in 2021 with $47.7 million allocated to support the development of critical mineral value chains. This three-year research development and demonstration plan covers funding to support the following work.

Government R&D will focus on:

• extracting minerals from ore in Canada, with a focus on processing and refining technologies needed to transform ore minerals effectively and efficiently into midstream chemical components
• extracting minerals from mineral-bearing waste streams in Canada, with a focus on developing processing technologies needed to extract minerals from mine tailings, coal ash, slag, and sludge or other mining residuals
• extracting minerals from post-consumer waste, such as used batteries

The grants and contribution program aims to advance the commercial readiness of emerging mineral processing unit operations or technologies to support the development of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) value chains in Canada by providing raw material inputs for use in batteries and permanent magnets.

Get support as you grow

As we develop and launch new funding opportunities specific to critical minerals, the following government programs and services are available to help your business.