Natural Resources Canada announced on Monday that it has updated the country’s critical minerals list, with three new additions – high-purity iron, phosphorous, and silicon metal.
First released in 2021, the 2024 critical minerals list was updated in consultation with provinces and territories; exploration, mining and manufacturing industries and associations; and Indigenous organizations and communities, Natural Resources Canada said in its media release.
High-purity iron is used in green steel making and decarbonization, phosphorus is essential for batteries and food security, and silicon metal is required for semiconductors and computer chips.
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, explained that the list had been amended following “substantial consultations to focus efforts in developing robust critical minerals value chains.”
“By updating Canada’s critical minerals list, we are taking a proactive step to ensure that Canada’s efforts to seize the generational economic opportunity presented by our critical minerals wealth is well informed by the most accurate market trends, geopolitical factors, and science,” Wilkinson said.
He continued, “Investments in critical minerals projects create good jobs for workers, more avenues for Canadian innovation and lower emissions across the country — all of which form an important part of our plan to build a cleaner Canada and a prosperous, sustainable economy.”
Following the update, Canada’s critical minerals list now identifies 34 minerals and metals deemed essential to the country’s economic or national security, and the country joins two of its provinces, Quebec and Ontario, as well as the European Union in recognizing the significance of phosphate.
