What are Canada's critical and strategic minerals?
Critical minerals are at the heart of the energy transition and global digital transformation. In 2024, Canada updated its official list, now establishing 34 minerals essential to the development of a sustainable and resilient economy. These minerals are the foundation of green technologies, defense systems, digital infrastructure, and strategic supply chains.
What is a critical mineral?
Canada defines a critical mineral according to three interdependent criteria that reflect both its strategic importance and supply vulnerability. First, the mineral must be essential to the country's economic or national security, serving as an indispensable component in key sectors of the Canadian economy. Second, its supply chain presents a high risk of disruption, whether due to excessive geographic concentration of production, political instability in producing regions, or restrictive trade policies. Third, the mineral plays a determining role in the transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050, being necessary for clean technologies that will redefine global energy systems.
The 6 priority minerals of Canada
The list review process, completed in June 2024, illustrates the dynamic evolution of Canadian strategic priorities. Among the 34 critical minerals, six occupy a particularly strategic position due to their immediate economic importance and Canada's competitive positioning in the global market.
Cobalt
Cobalt plays a critical role in the thermal stability and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in long-range electric vehicles.
Copper
A key conductor for electrification: power grids, motors, electronics, electric vehicles, and energy infrastructure (charging stations, transformers, cables).
Graphite
A core anode material in batteries: it enables durable lithium-ion intercalation, a prerequisite for large-scale battery production.
Lithium
A central mineral for batteries: lithium offers high electrochemical potential and strong energy density. It is also used in glass, ceramics, and certain lubricants.
Nickel
One of the main levers for increasing energy density in lithium-ion batteries: higher nickel content enables longer driving range at comparable battery size.
Rare earth elements
A group of 17 elements essential for high-performance permanent magnets. They reduce size, losses, and energy consumption in electric motors and enable the miniaturization of clean technologies.
The 34 critical minerals
Each mineral on the Canadian list possesses unique characteristics and specific applications that justify its critical status. Understanding these properties is essential to appreciate their role in the modern economy and emerging technologies.
| MINERAL | CHARACTERISTICS AND APPLICATIONS |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | Lightweight and conductive metal. Used in aerospace, transportation, construction, and various electrical components. |
| Antimony | Used notably as a flame retardant and in certain alloys. Applications in industrial and electronic sectors. |
| Bismuth | Non-toxic with a low melting point. An alternative to lead in several applications, particularly industrial and pharmaceutical. |
| Cesium | Used in high-precision applications (e.g. atomic clocks) and specialized industrial uses. |
| Chromium | Essential for the production of stainless steels and corrosion-resistant alloys used in industry and infrastructure. |
| Cobalt ★ | Cobalt plays a critical role in the thermal stability and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries used in long-range electric vehicles. |
| Copper ★ | A key conductor for electrification: power grids, motors, electronics, electric vehicles, and energy infrastructure. |
| Tin | Corrosion-resistant. Important for electronic solders and certain metal coatings. |
| Fluorspar | Mineral used notably in industrial chemistry and metallurgy, and as an input for several processes. |
| Gallium | Used in semiconductors (e.g. GaAs, GaN) for power electronics, LEDs, and certain RF applications. |
| Germanium | Semiconductor used in optical fibers, electronics, and optoelectronic applications. |
| Graphite ★ | Graphite is not just a “battery material”: it is currently the only material capable of supporting durable lithium-ion intercalation at commercial scale. |
| Helium | Critical gas for medical MRI, research, industrial processes, and cryogenic cooling. |
| High-purity iron ore | Input sought for certain industrial value chains requiring high purity, particularly for advanced processing technologies. |
| Indium | Used notably in displays (ITO), electronics, and certain photovoltaic technologies. |
| Lithium ★ | Lithium is currently irreplaceable as the lightest solid metal with the highest electrochemical potential. Also used in industrial applications (glass, ceramics, lubricants). |
| Magnesium | Lightweight metal used in alloys to reduce weight in components (transport, aerospace) and in metallurgy. |
| Manganese | Used in steelmaking and certain battery chemistries. Important for alloys and industrial applications. |
| Molybdenum | Enhances the mechanical and thermal resistance of steels. Applications in energy, industry, and infrastructure. |
| Nickel ★ | One of the main levers for increasing energy density in lithium-ion batteries without increasing their size. |
| Niobium | Used in very small proportions to strengthen steel (e.g. pipelines, structures), improving performance and durability. |
| Phosphorus | Essential for fertilizers and certain industrial applications; also used indirectly through LFP battery chemistries. |
| Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) | Family of metals (including platinum, palladium, iridium, etc.) used notably for catalysts, chemistry, and certain hydrogen-related technologies. |
| Potash | Major input for fertilizers. Important for agricultural productivity and global food security. |
| Rare earth elements ★ | Rare earths (neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium…) enable extremely powerful permanent magnets, reducing size and losses in electric motors. They are also a key factor in the miniaturization and efficiency of clean technologies. |
| Scandium | Added to aluminum in small quantities, it can significantly improve mechanical strength and help reduce structural weight. |
| Silicon metal | Industrial input used notably in alloys, chemistry, and the silicon value chain; a foundational material for many technologies. |
| Tantalum | Used notably in electronic capacitors and equipment requiring high corrosion resistance. |
| Tellurium | Metalloid used in certain thin-film photovoltaic technologies and electronic applications. |
| Titanium | Metal with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, used in aerospace, chemical industry, and high-performance applications. |
| Tungsten | Very high melting point. Used for cutting tools, industrial applications, and specialized components. |
| Uranium | Key fuel for civilian nuclear power. Used for electricity generation in many countries. |
| Vanadium | Used in certain high-strength steels and in flow batteries for stationary energy storage. |
| Zinc | Mainly used for steel galvanization to prevent corrosion; also applied in alloys and chemical processes. |
Global issues and geographic concentration
Global demand for critical minerals is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to the International Energy Agency, overall demand from the energy sector is expected to double by 2040. This surge, however, raises significant challenges, primarily due to the strong geographic concentration of mineral production and processing.
Between 2020 and 2024, China accounted for approximately 70–80% of global growth in refined copper and lithium supply, while Indonesia captured nearly 90% of growth in refined nickel supply. For cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements, almost all global growth in refined production was driven by China, significantly limiting the geographic diversification of supply chains.
In response to this reality, many countries are actively seeking to diversify their sources of supply. Canada, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom are developing initiatives aimed at reducing dependence on single sources and strengthening the resilience of critical mineral supply chains.
Conclusion
Critical minerals represent far more than a simple economic opportunity for Canada. They constitute an essential pillar of the global energy transition and the digital transformation of our societies. With its vast mineral resources, high environmental standards, and political stability, Canada is ideally positioned to become a supplier of choice on the international stage.
The 2024 list update and substantial government investments demonstrate the country's willingness to seize this generational opportunity. Success will depend on the collective ability to accelerate project development while maintaining commitment to responsible and sustainable mining practices.
References :
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Critical minerals: an opportunity for Canada – Updated list 2024. https://www.canada.ca/fr/campagne/mineraux-critiques-au-canada/les-mineraux-critiques-une-occasion-pour-le-canada.html
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy. Government of Canada, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/fr/campagne/mineraux-critiques-au-canada/la-strategie-canadienne-sur-les-mineraux-critiques.html
International Energy Agency (IEA). The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions. 2023. https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions
United States Geological Survey (USGS). Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024. https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/mineral-commodity-summaries
International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). Role of Mining in the Energy Transition. https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our-work/energy-transition
European Commission. Critical Raw Materials Act – Study on Critical Raw Materials. https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/raw-materials/critical-raw-materials_en
World Nuclear Association. Uranium and Nuclear Power in Canada. https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/canada.aspx
International Aluminium Institute. Aluminium in the Automotive and Aerospace Sectors. https://international-aluminium.org/
International Copper Association. Copper's Role in Electrification and Electric Vehicles. https://copperalliance.org/
International Energy Agency. Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025. IEA, 2025, https://www.iea.org/reports/global-critical-minerals-outlook-2025/
*The data presented is based on the most recent public information available at the time of writing. Some values may vary depending on technologies, industrial processes, and statistical sources used.
