Abstract

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)’s Minerals Programs Branch (MPB), through collaboration with federal partners, has developed, implemented and delivered a suite of investment programs to support the advancement of the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy through a “Technology Advancement Pipeline” approach of extractive metallurgical processes from Fundamental Research to Research and Development to Pilot and Demonstration to Early Adoption. With focus on the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) and the Global Partnerships Program (GPI) Contribution streams, this presentation will demonstrate the federal government’s “Technology Advancement Pipeline” approach to accelerate the advancement of critical mineral upstream-midstream projects towards commercialization, which supports and strengthens innovative mining and mineral processing  ecosystems to position Canada as a stable supplier of critical metals.

The CMRDD and GPI Grants and Contributions streams can provide the support to advance critical mineral resource development by funding piloting projects, feasibility studies, and engineering work. With a priority on clean-technology value-chains, the CMRDD funds piloting projects, which encourages the demonstration of mid-stream processes to enable the advancement projects to commercialization. Successful demonstration of technologies leads to commercial adaption by de-risking projects, building confidence in minerals technology, and attracting investment. The GPI supports, enhances and promotes Canada’s international leadership in critical minerals by driving global environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and working effectively with Canada’s allies. GPI comprises of several activities, in which the grants and contributions streams provide funding to joint Research and Development (R&D) projects, including the demonstration of Canadian technologies in Canada and abroad in partnership with other countries and the development of critical mineral projects in Canada in collaboration with international partners. In addition to metallurgical testing, the GPI can fund feasibility and engineering studies, resulting in further development of Canadian mineral projects. In addition to the knowledge-sharing to advance technologies, the collaboration with international partnerships can build and strengthen supply chains of priority critical minerals, contributing to Canada’s energy transition. The relationships with international partners through GPI, will benefit Canadian critical minerals projects and technologies by broadening expertise, promoting Canadian technologies abroad, and can result in the establishment of robust critical mineral supply chains.

Emerging success stories resulting from the CMRDD and GPI Contributions investments will be presented.