Abstract
Critical minerals are the building blocks for clean technology. As the world transitions to meet its net-zero emission goals, the demand for these materials is expected to potentially triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040, as indicated by the International Energy Agency. The critical minerals industry in Canada requires both primary and secondary sources to compete on a global level and meet increased demand. Recycling and reprocessing can help strengthen the security and sustainability of critical mineral supplies in Canada for the clean energy transition. Growing Canada’s critical minerals secondary source capacity and combining with primary sources has several advantages such as growing a diversified economy; providing viable alternatives to natural resources and making mine deposits and recycling operations more economically viable; reducing energy, water, and waste requirements for processing; and promoting a circular economy.
Natural Resources Canada’s Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) and Global Partnership Initiatives (GPI) contribution funding programs enable Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy by supporting the technology commercialization advancement of industry partners’ projects, several of which are focused on recycling or reprocessing priority critical minerals such as rare earth elements, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. Pre-commercialization projects eligible for CMRDD and GPI contribution funding can help grow the domestic recycling knowledge and capacity of these critical minerals for uses throughout the value chains and for meeting Canada’s climate goals. This presentation will provide an overview on current and completed recycling, reprocessing from waste, and circular processing projects that have been supported under the CMRDD or GPI programs to date.