Natural Resources Canada announced on June 10 that it has updated the country’s critical minerals list to include phosphorus, which it said is essential for batteries and food security. The updated list also includes high-purity iron, used in green steel making and decarbonization, and silicon metal, required for semiconductors and computer chips.
The addition of phosphorus to the list follows a consultation period with provincial and territorial governments and industry and indigenous groups.
“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,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.
“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,” Wilkinson added.
Fertilizer Canada issued a statement on June 12 welcoming the addition of phosphorus to the list, which joins potash, noting that both minerals are important fertilizers.
“Canadian farmers rely on imported phosphorus fertilizer, while over 75 countries, including the United States, depend on sustainably and ethically sourced Canadian potash,” said Karen Proud, Fertilizer Canada President and CEO. “Their inclusion on the list underscores their significance to agriculture and food security on a global scale.”
To qualify as a critical mineral, the supply chain of the mineral must be threatened and there must be a reasonable chance of it being produced in Canada. In addition, the mineral must either be essential to the country’s economic or national security, required for the transition to a low-carbon economy, or position Canada as a sustainable and strategic partner in global supply chains.
First released in 2021, Canada’s critical minerals list identifies 34 minerals and metals deemed essential to the country’s economic and national security.
“As the Government of Canada progresses with the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, it is crucial to provide comprehensive support for all minerals listed, not only the prioritized ones,” Proud said. “This is especially important for minerals essential to food security. The government has an opportunity to work with industry to build on their investment in environmental progress, find long-term solutions in transportation, and continue to be a large economic driver and reliable trading partner.”