SÉCURISER LA PLACE DU CANADA DANS LA COURSE INTERNATIONALE AUX MINÉRAUX CRITIQUES

The report argues that Canada has significant potential to become a leading supplier of critical minerals—specifically cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements—to support the global clean energy transition. However, it identifies a substantial investment gap, estimating that $30 billion in additional capital is needed by 2040 to meet domestic demand, which is projected to reach $16 billion annually. The document highlights three primary risks hindering investment: high price volatility in immature markets, environmental hazards such as tailings dam failures and abandoned mines, and the lack of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) from Indigenous communities. To address these, the report recommends that the federal government implement financial risk-sharing mechanisms like contracts for difference and equity investments, while provincial governments should tighten mining regulations to align with international standards and provide loan guarantees and capacity-building resources to Indigenous communities to foster genuine partnerships and self-determination.

• Canada faces a significant investment gap in critical mineral extraction; an estimated $30 billion in additional capital is required by 2040 to meet a projected domestic demand of $16 billion per year.
• The report focuses on six specific critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies: cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, graphite, and rare earth elements.
• Price volatility in immature markets, particularly for lithium and rare earth elements, creates a major financial risk that discourages long-term investment.
• The federal government is encouraged to use financial risk-sharing tools, such as equity investments, contracts for difference, and off-take agreements, to stabilize the sector.
• Indigenous self-determination and the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) are identified as essential for project success and the reduction of legal and financial risks.
• Indigenous communities often lack the organizational and financial capacity to participate effectively in mining projects, necessitating government support for capacity building and access to capital.
• Environmental risks, specifically the mismanagement of tailings and abandoned mines, undermine public trust and increase the likelihood of project delays and litigation.
• Provincial governments should align mining regulations with international standards, such as 'Towards Sustainable Mining' (TSM) and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.
• Regulatory delays and unpredictable permitting processes are cited by 53% of survey respondents as a primary obstacle to investment in Canada.
• Infrastructure deficits in remote areas significantly increase project costs; mines located more than 50km from power lines can see capital expenditures triple.

APA

Canadian Climate Institute (2025). SÉCURISER LA PLACE DU CANADA DANS LA COURSE INTERNATIONALE AUX MINÉRAUX CRITIQUES. https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Trajectoire-critique.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Climate Institute. SÉCURISER LA PLACE DU CANADA DANS LA COURSE INTERNATIONALE AUX MINÉRAUX CRITIQUES. 2025. https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Trajectoire-critique.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Climate Institute |title=SÉCURISER LA PLACE DU CANADA DANS LA COURSE INTERNATIONALE AUX MINÉRAUX CRITIQUES |date=June 2025 |url=https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Trajectoire-critique.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianclimateinstitute2025scuriser, author = {{Canadian Climate Institute}}, title = {{SÉCURISER LA PLACE DU CANADA DANS LA COURSE INTERNATIONALE AUX MINÉRAUX CRITIQUES}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Trajectoire-critique.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }