Nova Scotia quietly advancing pursuit of critical mineral development
Nova Scotia has recently announced a partnership with the federal government in Ottawa to support the growth of the critical minerals industry. This collaboration is seen as crucial for advancing clean energy goals and promoting sustainable development in the province.
Before the snap election held this fall, Premier Tim Houston’s cabinet approved an order-in-council that referenced funding from Ottawa for the development of Nova Scotia’s critical mineral potential. Although details about the deal were not disclosed during the election campaign, it has now been confirmed that the province has signed two agreements with Natural Resources Canada.
One of these agreements will focus on developing supply chains, while the other will aim to assess Nova Scotia’s critical mineral potential. The specific terms of these agreements have not been made public yet, as the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables is working closely with federal partners to finalize the details.
Natural Resources Canada has conditionally approved nearly $1 million for Nova Scotia to use over a three-year period for two projects related to critical minerals. This funding will be allocated through the federal government’s critical minerals geoscience and data initiative, which aims to enhance Canada’s critical minerals potential through data and digital technologies.
Canada has identified 31 minerals as critical in its national strategy released last year, emphasizing their importance in the transition to green technologies such as batteries, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels. Nova Scotia unveiled its own critical minerals strategy last fall, highlighting the significance of participating in a national supply chain for critical minerals to achieve the province’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The province’s strategy outlines eight objectives, including creating a stable supply of critical minerals for clean technologies. Nova Scotia selected 16 compounds from the federal government’s critical mineral list based on criteria such as exploration potential, carbon emissions requirements, global supply and demand dynamics, and strategic opportunities for the province.
Some of the critical minerals identified by Nova Scotia include antimony, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. According to a recent report from the Mining Association of Nova Scotia, the province has a history of producing minerals such as copper, tin, zinc, graphite, and manganese.
Overall, the partnership between Nova Scotia and Ottawa signals a commitment to advancing the critical minerals industry and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. By leveraging resources and expertise from both levels of government, the province aims to play a key role in the clean energy revolution while promoting sustainable development and economic growth.
