Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data Initiative

Boosting Canada’s critical minerals potential through data and digital technologies

The Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data (CMGD) Initiative is dedicated to unlocking the sustainable development of Canada’s critical minerals resources by providing essential knowledge and data to support informed decision-making. This is achieved through funding initiatives that help advance availability of valuable data and insights on the location, quality and economic feasibility of critical minerals resources.

By harnessing the power of geoscience and data, we are paving the way for the responsible growth of industries reliant on these minerals, from technology and energy to defence and infrastructure.

Calls for proposals

Background on the CMGD Initiative

The Geological Survey of Canada-led CMGD Initiative supports Canada’s strategy to strengthen the supply chains of critical minerals needed for a sustainable, digital economy. The Initiative focuses on 14 critical minerals:

These minerals are essential to sustainable economic development in technology, energy, defence and infrastructure. Many have a limited domestic supply and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.

Results of this Initiative will provide baseline information for decisions related to resource development and investment, while supporting the growth of Canadian industries reliant on these critical minerals resources.

The CMGD Initiative has four solution streams:

Critical minerals knowledge base

Comprehensive data on sampling and analysis to specify critical minerals contents and associations within Canada’s mineral deposits and derivative products (i.e., ores, concentrates, minerals, tailings and wastes). This free, publicly available knowledge base will be used to:

• estimate critical minerals resources
• inform potential value and supply options
• provide geoscience data for tracing critical minerals through supply chains
• conduct robust economic modelling

Critical minerals systems studies

Thematic geoscience research focused on conventional as well as new, emerging or unconventional sources of the 14 priority critical minerals. This research will position Canada as a global leader in critical minerals deposits discovery, development and production through the following:

• inform potential mineral modelling, including environmental assessment and environmental, social and governance (ESG) information (see solution 3)
• provide a complete understanding of the critical minerals potential across Canada, with the goal of maximizing value from new and existing critical minerals resource streams, both of which are necessary to meet the forecasted demand
• focus on new sources that have the greatest potential to rapidly go into production with low environmental impact

Advanced predictive geoscience

Advanced analytics to support responsible critical minerals exploration, production and marketing decision-making. The goal is to deliver assessments of geological potential, together with projected economic feasibility factors and ESG considerations early in the exploration cycle to reduce risk in mineral exploration and accelerate project development. Mineral intelligence will be based on geology, geochemistry and geophysical data, together with production information, capital and operating costs, and infrastructure access (e.g., roads, rail, power and shipping).

Market assessments

Commodity assessments to enable Canada to maximize future potential in the global critical minerals economy. Conducted from the perspective of Canadian consumers and suppliers, these assessments will compile production, export, import, consumption and dependency on external sources of critical minerals. The assessments will build on results from solutions 1 to 3 (listed above), incorporating market intelligence and commodity forecasts.

Research conducted under the CMGD Initiative will support the mission statements of the Pan-Canadian Geoscience Strategy:

• support a globally competitive mineral and energy exploration and development sector in Canada
• provide accessible geoscience data and knowledge to inform sustainable development and land-use decisions
• reduce environmental and public safety risks associated with resource development and geological hazards (geo-hazards)
• be responsive to society’s evolving expectations for land and resource management

Contact us

For further information, please send an email to the CMGD Initiative Coordination Office, at cmgd-gdmc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.