Canada is seeking to build out the nation’s critical minerals supply chain as part of a range of strategic investments targeting clean energy and transportation infrastructure.
“Canada has what the world wants,” says Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson. “We are building the infrastructure required to get those resources to diverse markets.”
This month, Natural Resources Canada unveiled nearly $5 million for responsible development of critical minerals in Quebec, a province which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the country’s mineral production.
Quebec’s mineral production includes phosphate, a key ingredient of lithium iron phosphate batteries, which power electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and off-grid power solutions.
“Investments like these help unlock our full potential,” the federal minister continued, “by connecting projects to the infrastructure they need to move forward—creating jobs, strengthening supply chains and delivering lasting prosperity for Quebec and Canada.”
The $5M investment, hailing from the First and Last Mile Fund, targets First Phosphate’s Bégin–Lamarche phosphate mine.
This funding will go towards pre-development work including feasibility and environmental studies to help determine the best routes and designs to link the mine to regional rail networks and the Port of Saguenay.
“Canada and Quebec have an opportunity to become a reliable supplier of the critical minerals the world needs for the technologies and industries of the future,” commented Claude Guay, who serves as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
“We’re supporting critical minerals projects in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and beyond to strengthen Canadian supply chains, create economic opportunities, and build Canada Strong,” remarked Guay.
Once launched, the projects are expected to create 500 jobs during construction, while the mine is forecast to create 300 jobs once production begins in 2029.
“This support from the Government of Canada for First Phosphate sends a strong message to our investors and partners in Quebec, Canada and internationally,” stated Armand MacKenzie, President of First Phosphate. “It reinforces confidence in our ability to carry out this strategic mining project and deliver our high-purity igneous phosphate to the market on schedule.”