Saskatchewan Research Council to advance bastnaesite
processing and study of critical minerals with support from the
Government of Canada
SASKATOON, SK, Aug. 14,
2024 /CNW/ - Saskatchewan is internationally known for
mining and exploration, and more recently getting recognition for
critical minerals, including rare earth elements, which are used in
electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, everyday electronics, and
industrial uses. As the demand for critical minerals to power the
clean economy is expected to double by 2030, according to the
International Energy Agency, there is an enormous economic
opportunity for Saskatchewan and
for Canada to seize. Since 2020,
the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) has taken the lead in
processing and commercializing value-added products using rare
earth elements throughout the development of its Rare Earth
Processing Facility in Saskatoon,
the first of its kind in Canada.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister
of PrairiesCan, announced new funding of over $16 million to support SRC in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This funding builds
on earlier support of nearly $13.5
million from PrairiesCan and Natural Resources Canada
(NRCan) for SRC to establish its Rare Earth Processing Facility and
develop new rare earth mineral processing
technologies.
Today's announcement includes $15.96
million through PrairiesCan to enable SRC to acquire
bastnaesite (a type of ore containing rare earth elements) from
Canadian sources and create new domestic capacity for bastnaesite
processing, which will be integrated into SRC's Rare Earth
Processing Facility. SRC will process bastnaesite ore acquired from
Vital Metals Ltd.'s Canadian operations to produce a mixed rare
earth product, which will be further processed using SRC's solvent
extraction and metal smelting technology to produce rare earth
metals. SRC will also collaborate with a local educational
institution to develop and deliver a training program for
Indigenous students to operate bastnaesite processing
equipment.
The investment of $209,330 from
NRCan, under the Critical Minerals Geoscience Data (CMGD)
Initiative will help SRC create a publicly available database of
mineral characteristics, which will expand the understanding of
critical mineral deposits in Canada and reduce mining waste. The new data
will help make better predictions about the types of deposits that
can be identified by sensor-based sorting, reducing the costs of
developing critical mineral deposits into mines and the energy
consumption and waste associated with these mines.
The Government of Canada,
through the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, is making crucial
investments in critical minerals, and seizing the economic
opportunity the clean economy presents for Saskatchewan and for Canada – in line with our goal to become a
critical minerals supplier of choice for the democratic world and
create good jobs and economic opportunities for generations to
come.
Quotes
"Our government is investing in the economic opportunities
presented by our critical minerals wealth, ensuring that Canadians
will benefit from the mining, processing and sale of rare earth
elements and other critical minerals through the creation of good
jobs, expansion of the mining sector, and prospects for future
innovations and reduced emissions."
–The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources
"Investing in regional strengths like mining, exploration, and
mineral processing helps us build a solid path to a strong
sustainable future for all Canadians. Saskatchewan Research
Council's Rare Earth Processing Facility plays an important role in
our government's plan to establish a domestic rare earth supply
chain that grows our economy and creates good jobs for
Canadians."
–The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister responsible for
PrairiesCan
"This investment will further advance Saskatchewan's prominent role on the global
stage as a reliable supplier of safe and sustainable rare earths
that the world needs for energy production. The acquisition of
bastnaesite from Northwest
Territories secures the necessary resources for SRC's Rare
Earth Processing Facility to produce additional rare earth metals.
This will help ensure critical mineral security for Canada's allies and partners while preventing
these strategic critical minerals from being sent to overseas
jurisdictions that threaten our national security."
–The Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Minister Responsible for
Saskatchewan Research Council
"The funding announced by PrairiesCan means SRC will be
able to expand its current Rare Earth Processing Facility to
process a wider range of rare earth minerals – developing
additional capacity and knowledge within Canada for this burgeoning industry. SRC's
Rare Earth Processing Facility will soon be operational, making the
province a domestic rare earth technology hub and an essential part
of Canada's critical minerals
supply chain."
–Mike Crabtree, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Research
Council
Quick facts
- The rare earth metals produced from SRC's recent purchase of
bastnaesite alone could be used to power 62,500 electric
vehicles.
- The Government of Canada has
identified 34 critical minerals, and 27 of those can be found in
Saskatchewan.
- Canada has some of the largest
known reserves and resources of rare earths, estimated at over 14
million tonnes in 2021.
- Mineral exploration expenditures in Saskatchewan hit a 10-year high in 2023, with
uranium exploration leading the way, demonstrating the region's
high global attractiveness for investment (Saskatchewan Ministry of
Energy and Resources Exploration and Development Highlights Report,
2023).
- Today's announcement includes one of the first investments
representing a greater collaboration called for in the new
Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy. The Framework is a
long-term commitment to better coordination among federal
departments, other levels of government and prairie partners on
their priorities, to seize opportunities for economic growth and
more good paying jobs across the Prairies.
- The Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data (CMGD) initiative
aims to strengthen Canadian critical minerals supply chains and
support sustainable development of six priority minerals that are
essential to key industries and national security (e.g. batteries,
energy, defense, infrastructure). The CMGD provides funding to
advance the availability of valuable data and insights on the
location, quality, and economic feasibility of critical minerals
resources.
- Budget 2021 provided $79.2
million to NRCan to enhance the quality and availability of
data and digital technologies to support geoscience and mapping
that will accelerate the efficient and effective development of
Canadian critical minerals value chains, including by identifying
critical minerals reserves and developing pathways for sustainable
mineral development.
- In 2024, Canada surpassed
China to take the number one spot
as the country with the most potential to build a secure, reliable,
and sustainable EV supply chain.
Associated links
- Minister Vandal announces investment in processing of rare
earth elements in Saskatchewan -
March 2024
- Canada to Boost Supply of
Critical Minerals and Strengthen Value Chains With Investment in
the Saskatchewan Research Council - February
2024
- Minister Vandal announces investment in processing of rare
earth elements in Saskatchewan -
September 2022
- Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy
- Canada's Critical
Minerals
- Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy
- Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data Initiative
- Saskatchewan Research Council
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SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada