Latest news with #criticalminerals
National Post
31 minutes ago
- Business
- National Post
Premiers to push for pipelines, ports and mines in fast-track bill meeting with Carney
Article content The federal government is developing what it calls a 'national interest' bill to fast-track a small number of nation-building projects with a streamlined regulatory approval process as a substitute for reviews under the Impact Assessment Act. Article content Which projects are the main topic of debate on Monday, with a heavy emphasis on critical minerals mining, energy and ports. Article content Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Friday his priority is mining in the 'Ring of Fire,' a region about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ont., that contains massive deposits of critical minerals. Another priority is building a new nuclear plant in the province. Article content Ford said he believes Carney will pick a few priorities across the country that would have a major impact. Article content 'One has to be the pipelines,' Ford said, adding Canada can't 'be relying on the U.S. any longer' as its primary energy customer. Article content Article content Ford said he believes Carney wants to work collaboratively with the provinces and that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe told him Friday morning he's excited to host the event. Article content Article content 'I think a priority is to bring the whole country together,' Ford said. 'The previous government and previous prime minister didn't show enough love, in my opinion, to Alberta and Saskatchewan. Article content Moe offered to host the meeting when he spoke with Carney soon after the federal election. Moe said on social media in May that this will be the first meeting between the prime minister and the premiers held in his province in 40 years. Article content The gathering comes as both Saskatchewan and Manitoba have declared province-wide states of emergency as wildfires threaten communities in remote northern regions. In Manitoba, 17,000 residents have been forced from their homes in recent days, while more than 4,000 people in Saskatchewan have had to evacuate. Article content In a mid-May letter to Carney, Moe pitched 10 policy changes he said the federal government should make to reset Ottawa's relationship with Saskatchewan. Article content His requests include starting negotiations with China to remove its tariffs on Canadian agri-food products, repealing the oil and gas emissions cap, expanding pipeline capacity and building trade and economic corridors across the country. Article content Article content 'Your government has the ability to move forward on all 10 of these items quickly, which would clearly signal a new, more positive relationship between Saskatchewan and the federal government than we have had for the past 10 years,' the letter said. Article content I have written to PM @MarkJCarney outlining our 'Strong Saskatchewan, Strong Canada Plan' - 10 key policy changes the federal government must make to reset Ottawa's relationship with Saskatchewan. The PM has the ability to move forward on all 10 of these items quickly, which… — Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) May 14, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump, Xi likely to speak soon on minerals trade dispute, Treasury's Bessent says
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said he believes President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will speak soon to iron out trade issues including a dispute over critical minerals. President Donald Trump on Friday accused China of violating an agreement with the U.S. to mutually roll back tariffs and trade restrictions for critical minerals. "What China is doing is they are holding back products that are essential for the industrial supply chains of India, of Europe. And that is not what a reliable partner does," Bessent said in an interview on Sunday with CBS' "Face the Nation." "I am confident that when President Trump and Party Chairman Xi have a call, that this will be ironed out. But the fact that they are withholding some of the products that they agreed to release during our agreement - maybe it's a glitch in the Chinese system, maybe it's intentional. We'll see after the President speaks with the party chairman." Trump said on Friday he was sure that he would speak to Xi. China said in April that the two leaders had not had a conversation recently. Asked if a talk with Xi was on Trump's schedule, Bessent said, "I believe we'll see something very soon."
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
New power line holds key to B.C.'s ambitions for critical minerals
The B.C. government has committed to building a new transmission line to bring electricity to power-hungry projects, including a string of proposed critical-mineral mines in the province's northwest. There is no budget, no timeline, and the precise route has yet to be confirmed. First Nations along the proposed line have not yet agreed to the project. And, there are no confirmed customers for the North Coast transmission line. The line is key to delivering on Premier David Eby's promise that British Columbia can become the economic engine of Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney and premiers across Canada have pledged a flurry of infrastructure projects to diversify markets away from the United States. But British Columbia faces hurdles, from First Nations' reluctance to embrace fast-tracking projects, to BC Hydro's spotty record of completing such projects on time and on budget. Energy Minister Adrian Dix says shovels will be in the ground the summer of 2026. 'There's no question it can be built and that it will be built,' he said in an interview this week. 'It's a critical aspect of all that work we're doing.' To clear the path, the province passed legislation on Thursday that will exempt the project from the environmental assessment review. B.C. bill fast-tracking infrastructure projects passes as Speaker Raj Chouhan casts deciding vote The new 500 kV transmission line and associated infrastructure will run from Prince George to Terrace, with possible extensions in three directions: to Kitimat, Aiyansh and Prince Rupert. The line is needed, Mr. Dix said, to supply power to proposed critical-mineral mines, liquefied natural gas projects, and an expanded Port of Prince Rupert, which features heavily in the province's ambitions for a Western transportation network that will open up more Canadian trade with Asia. Currently, BC Hydro is negotiating with 14 First Nations to determine the route. The Crown corporation is proposing Indigenous co-ownership and joint environmental studies, in lieu of a full, formal environmental assessment process that can delay construction. 'The intent is to shave off years,' Mr. Dix said. Bill 14, the Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) Act, and Bill 15, the Infrastructure Projects Act, were the key features of the provincial legislative session that wrapped up on Thursday. Both laws are designed to speed development of infrastructure and resource projects, including mines and energy projects ranging from wind farms to liquefied natural gas. Both bills received intense criticism from First Nations leaders, local governments and business and environmental organizations over concerns that fast-tracking approvals will mean insufficient scrutiny, and could ultimately lead to greater uncertainty and delays. Some First Nations leaders have warned that projects will face lawsuits if their rights and title are undermined. The BC Chamber of Commerce this week decried the province's failure to consult with First Nations before introducing the legislation. 'The consequence is that projects designated as 'provincially significant' now face a heightened risk of legal challenges,' Fiona Famulak, the chamber's president and CEO, wrote to Mr. Eby. Environmentalists, meanwhile, worry that the exceptional powers granted to cabinet to speed up project approvals will expose the province to greater risk of ecological disasters. Opinion: Ottawa should look to B.C.'s fast-track blueprint for big projects 'There are real threats to our ecosystems and communities if mines are listed as 'provincially significant' and bypass environmental assessments. The current regulatory regime in B.C. doesn't do enough to protect our water and lands today,' said Nikki Skuce, co-chair of the BC Mining Law Reform network. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing through similar legislation in the face of opposition from First Nations. Like B.C., the Ontario government wants to fast-track critical-mineral development by creating 'special economic zones' where mines or other projects could be exempt from provincial laws. Mr. Ford said this week he will amend his proposed law to reaffirm Ontario's pre-existing constitutional obligations to consult First Nations. Even before shovels are in the ground, the potential demand for the North Coast transmission line could be under pressure, based on the projects that the B.C. government hopes to secure. Michael Goehring, president and chief executive of the Mining Association of BC, said the 18 proposed critical-mineral mines that are in advanced development in B.C. need access to significant power, or they won't move forward. The province estimates the mines projects in the Northwest alone are worth $30-billion in economic activity – but to land those investments, the province needs to provide somewhere between 400 MW to 700 MW by 2035. That could use up more than half of the power available from the new transmission line, leaving little for developing LNG, port expansion or anything else. B.C. looking to private sector for new clean power projects Mr. Dix said that's something his government is going to have to figure out. 'One of the issues that we're also going to be addressing in the coming months is questions around electricity allocation.' He is looking at the Quebec model, which prioritizes projects of provincial interest. Mr. Goehring argues that mining – especially the critical minerals that Canada has identified as a priority – should come first. 'The North Coast Transmission Line is critical to our province's mining sector and the economy of Northwest B.C.,' he said. 'There are a number of critical-mineral projects in this region like the Turnagain nickel project and Galore Creek, a world class copper-gold project, that could increase Canada's copper production by 35 per cent. Cost-effective transmission and clean electricity are essential to their development.' Before B.C. passed its streamlining law, BC Hydro estimated it will take eight to 10 years to build the North Coast line. But the Crown corporation hasn't had a track record for building major projects on time and on budget. The Site C dam, with a $8.8-billion budget, was completed for $16-billion. The Northwest Transmission Line was completed in 2014. Originally launched with a budget of $404-million, it came in at $736-million, an overrun blamed on challenging terrain and higher-than-expected costs for materials and labour. The Interior to Lower Mainland Transmission Line came into service in 2015, a year behind schedule. The delays were triggered in part because the contractor brought in faulty steel towers from India that twisted, bent and collapsed. BC Hydro said that project came in on budget – but then it ended up paying a $100-million settlement to its contractor after a protracted dispute. At the time that the details of those challenges were coming to light, Mr. Dix was serving on the opposition benches as the NDP's energy critic: 'The tendering process is a fiasco; the project is a disaster,' he said at the time. Mr. Dix insists that BC Hydro will do better this time. 'I think they they've learned from those experiences,' he said, 'and I'm confident BC Hydro will be able to build it.'
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
North Bay marks 100 years of mining with waterfront expo
North Bay mining expo showcases city's global industry role with 60 local firms employing 2,500 people and a jobs surge expected by 2029. Eric Taschner reports. A two-day mining expo at the Lake Nipissing waterfront is celebrating a century of mining and related projects supported by North Bay-based companies. 100 Years of Mining - North Bay A mining expo at the Lake Nipissing waterfront is celebrating a century of mining and related projects supported by North Bay-based companies. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) The event also highlights the global role these companies play in mining operations worldwide. Though North Bay has no active mines, mills, or smelters, its influence is felt across mining projects globally. 'There is a significant increase in the need for this, especially in northern Ontario, with those critical minerals we need to get out of the ground to support electric vehicles and other initiatives,' said Mark Wagner, president of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Northern Gateway Branch. More than 60 mining supply companies in North Bay employ about 2,500 people, playing a crucial role in mine development locally and internationally. One such company, Redpath Canada Ltd., has 200 local employees and more than 9,000 worldwide. 'We have a whole lot of content from projects and different Redpath sites,' said Tyler Foy, Redpath's manager of engineering and technical services. 'A lot of the people that just live in North Bay don't know that there's such a deep mining connection.' The expo introduces co-op students and the public to the mining sector, showcasing career opportunities in the evolving industry. Static displays of mining equipment are also featured. Co-op students at mining expo A mining expo at the Lake Nipissing waterfront introduced co-op students to the mining sector, showcasing career opportunities in the evolving industry. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Ontario's Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli visited the expo Friday, praising North Bay's contributions to mining, including its role in northwestern Ontario's Ring of Fire. 'I've been to the Ring of Fire five times, and you see North Bay's drill rods, North Bay's drill bits. The tents actually were made about 20 years ago when I was there. They were made in Rutherglen,' Fedeli told reporters. 'Mining is a big part of the fabric of North Bay. The rail, the logging in the past and mining are all resource sectors. But now we've really shifted to technology. You see around us all of the technology that's used in mining today – it's a very different business today.' Vic Fedeli Ontario's Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli visit a mining expo in North Bay on May 30, 2025, celebrating the city's 100-years of contributions to the industry. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario) Officials anticipate major growth in the sector by 2030. Ontario currently has 31,000 direct mining jobs and 46,000 indirect jobs in mineral processing and supply. 'We are expecting a 70 per cent increase in employment opportunities by 2029,' said Wagner. 'So, take those 2,500 people and do the math around that.' Wagner added that mining suppliers are optimistic about the future of critical minerals.
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Can the US use its Ukraine tactics to get Middle East minerals?
The US deal granting it future revenue and access to Ukraine's mineral sector raises a broader question: is this the beginning of a model for American foreign policy, one that links strategic resource access to long-term diplomatic and financial commitments? Shaped by the exceptional circumstances of war, the Ukraine deal may appear to be a one-off. Yet US President Donald Trump's recent Middle East visit, in which the White House claimed more than a trillion dollars in investment deals were signed, points to a broader trend: Washington's increasing willingness to align foreign policy with long-term economic interests, particularly in critical minerals. It is tempting to imagine the US might apply the Ukraine model in the Middle East, particularly with countries like Saudi Arabia and Jordan, where mining has become a growing policy focus. Riyadh especially is pursuing large-scale development of critical minerals as part of its economic diversification strategy to lessen dependence on oil. Riyadh has also overhauled its mining laws to attract foreign investment and accelerate exploration. Its state-owned mining giant, Ma'aden, has already entered partnerships with global firms like Barrick Gold and Ivanhoe Electric, signalling serious intent to build a world-class mining sector. But unlike Ukraine, neither is in a position of acute geopolitical distress. Saudi Arabia is wealthy, and critically, not short on suitors. It boasts a huge sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, that finances domestic megaprojects. While Jordan's aid dependent economy is struggling, especially after the sudden suspension of US aid in February, it fairs better than Ukraine's dire straits of enduring a more than three-year war. Therefore, neither country is under pressure to pledge away its resources at a loss. That may not preclude Mr Trump from exploring similar proposals, however unlikely their acceptance. The American president has long preferred diplomacy with a balance sheet. His latest Gulf tour was no exception, with discussions focused on investment deals and economic co-operation, including energy sales. Administration officials have indicated a growing interest in financing structures that expand US access to critical minerals without increasing federal spending. Minerals race Minerals are no longer just commodities. Lithium, copper, and other rare earth metals are national security assets. From electric vehicles to semiconductors, the green transition is mineral-intensive, and China controls much of the supply chain. China processes more than 80 per cent of rare earths, dominates refining of lithium and cobalt, and plays a major role in battery and solar manufacturing. For Washington, ensuring access is becoming as vital as defending shipping lanes. Still, any notion of Saudi Arabia or Jordan signing over future profits or access to the US is, at best, aspirational. Riyadh has no intention of sharing control, or upside, of its mineral development. It might accept a US partner in a technical capacity, especially to access mining expertise or green tech. But anything more is unlikely. This does not mean deals will not be struck. Rather, the model would be likely to differ from used in Ukraine's. In Jordan's case, Washington might offer technology transfer or enhanced security guarantees, particularly in light of regional tensions with Iran, in exchange for priority access to minerals or a stake in local mining projects. Jordan, while more modest in scale, has significant reserves of phosphates and is exploring its potential in rare earth elements. The country's established mining infrastructure and close ties to Washington could make it a more flexible partner for future mineral agreements. With Saudi Arabia, it's harder. Saudi Arabia doesn't need a deal; the US does. That's leverage, and Riyadh knows it. Diplomatic capital Even if formal resource-sharing deals are unlikely, Washington's economic footprint in the Gulf is not insignificant. Access can take less visible forms. One route is through US companies that attract investment from Gulf sovereign wealth funds, like Abu Dhabi's ADQ, the Qatar Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Capital often travels with a diplomatic agenda. In 2021, for instance, Saudi Arabia's PIF gave $2 billion to Jared Kushner, Mr Trump's son-in-law and former senior adviser, for his newly launched private equity firm, Affinity Partners. Many in the region regard the move as a gesture aimed at maintaining ties with Mr Trump's inner circle. However, if the US is indeed pivoting to a resource-driven foreign policy, it is doing so late in the day. China has spent two decades building state-backed mineral partnerships across Africa, Latin America, and increasingly the Middle East, often under its flagship Belt and Road Initiative. The US, by contrast, is just now scrambling to catch up. In this context, resource-sharing arrangements, however opaque, may become a new diplomatic currency. But even within Washington, the path forward is uneven. The push to secure minerals is tied closely to the green transition, a central concern for US tech giants, who need stable supplies for electric vehicles, batteries and data infrastructure. Yet on Capitol Hill, the political will is fragmented. While some Republicans support domestic mining as part of a broader push for energy independence and competition with China, many in the Make America Great Again wing of the party remain sceptical of the green agenda itself. Still, lithium, cobalt, rare earths are vital to American interests. Electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced batteries all depend on them. But securing reliable access to these materials will take more than high-profile deals in Riyadh. It will require sustained investment in mining and processing capacity, long-term contracts with trusted partners, and clear policy signals that outlast election cycles. Ukraine's resource-for-support deal may remain an outlier: born of war, scarcity and political imbalance. The Middle East, by contrast, is rich and assertive. Mr Trump may hope to carve out a mineral foothold, but the region is unlikely to surrender its resources without extracting something far more valuable in return. And in the transactional world of today's geopolitics, the price of access is always going up.
