Canada unlocks 26 investments to secure critical minerals supply chains

The Government of Canada (Natural Resources Canada) announced the first round of strategic projects and measures under the Canada‑led Critical Minerals Production Alliance on October 31, 2025, unlocking investments and partnerships to accelerate and secure critical minerals supply chains.

• Main announcement: The Government of Canada, led by Minister Tim Hodgson, announced 26 new investments, partnerships and measures (announced on October 31, 2025) under the Critical Minerals Production Alliance to accelerate and unlock $6.4 billion in critical minerals projects supporting defence, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Key project commitments include: Nouveau Monde Graphite Matawinie (offtake with Government of Canada, Panasonic, Traxys; prior investments >$35 million from Canada Growth Fund; EDC letter of interest up to US$430 million), Rio Tinto scandium plant (approx. $25 million Canada Growth Fund royalty-like investment), Ucore Rare Metals (conditional federal support up to $36.3 million, incl. $26.3M via NRCan and $10M via FedDev Ontario), Vianode (letter of interest for up to US$500 million from EDC and potential German export credit guarantee up to US$300 million), and Northern Graphite (offtake/toll processing LOI with Alkeemia).

• R&D and partnerships detail: As part of the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan the government highlighted up to $20.2 million in international R&D support, including Focus Graphite (conditionally approved up to $14.1 million via NRCan Global Partnerships Initiative with TMEC and AETC), Northern Graphite / Rain Carbon Canada ($860,000 via NRC Canada–Germany program), PH7 Technologies / York University (up to $900,000 via NRC Canada–Germany “3+2” program to develop an AI‑optimized metallurgical process), Telescope Innovations (up to $3.36 million total incl. $319,200 via NRC IRAP and conditional $3.04 million NRCan CMRDD support), and multiple $500,000 NRC/IRAP awards for recycling and nickel efficiency projects (Excir Works Corp., NTwist Inc.).