Critical (adjective)
having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure or existence of something
Mineral (noun)
a solid inorganic substance of natural occurrence
Without critical minerals, modern life wouldn’t be possible. Critical minerals underpin every facet of the global economy and are essential for renewable energy and tech like electric vehicles and smartphones. But the global supply of critical minerals is limited and highly vulnerable to supply chain disruptions.
Derived from the Earth’s crust, critical minerals include conventional commodities such as copper, nickel and aluminum, and more exotic resources, such as lithium and rare earth elements, which have unique magnetic and electronic properties with highly specialized applications in high-tech devices.
A mineral’s “criticality” depends on how essential it is economically and how vulnerable its supply is to disruption. An example of this is cobalt. Cobalt is an irreplaceable component of rechargeable batteries and super-strong alloys (mixed metals) used in everything from jet engines to drill bits. More than 70 per cent of the world’s cobalt is mined exclusively in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and refined in China. Any supply disruption in either country due to economic, social, environmental or geopolitical circumstances can hobble the global economy and undermine key sectors, including aerospace, energy, manufacturing and defence.
The limited supply of critical minerals represents a significant bottleneck in the global economy. How nations address this pressure will be crucial for charting their economic and social trajectories in the 21st century.
In this context, Canada stands out. It plays a central role in global mineral markets and is well-positioned as a key producer of many critical minerals, including aluminum, cobalt, nickel, copper, potash and uranium. This is due to its favourable geology, advanced infrastructure, skilled workforce and forward-thinking economic and social policies.
Western contributes to Canada’s leadership in critical mineral development through research that advances our understanding of critical mineral resources and teaching that cultivates the specialized exploration and mining workforce of the future. ● Wyatt Bain
