The global race for critical minerals is switched on. Here is the reason why they are the elixir of the new tech era

What does your smartphone have in common with a solar panel, EV battery or military equipment? They are all made with critical minerals – an essential component in the power supply to modern technology, which we use every day.

“You are absolutely the central thing for what I call the electro-digital age,” said Vince Beiser, author of author of Power Metal: The race for the resources that will shape the futureIn an interview with CBCS The Current.

“This era in which we move is defined by renewable electricity and digital technology. This cannot be generated without critical metals.”

Some trading experts refer to critical minerals The “basic rock” A new era in technological progress – similar to the invention of the steam engine during the first industrial revolution, the world is dramatically changed and boats, trains and factory machines are powered.

The idea is that these elements are considered important for the transition to green energy and digital technology or that they fulfill a military function, explained Elizabeth Steyn, a legal professor of law at the University of Calgary, which researches critical minerals.

CBC explains what critical minerals are and why there is a global race for control of these precious resources.

What kind of critical minerals does Canada have?

“In the past, Canada was really the first -class destination for mining companies and prospectors in an interview with CBC’s front burner,” said Jacob Lorinc, a mountain baure porter at Bloomberg.

Canada has 34 critical minerals and metals his list (Some countries call them “strategic minerals”). There are mines, refineries and projects that are dedicated to these minerals in every Canadian province and in every territory except Pei

In order to get on the list, the supply chain of a mineral must be at risk, and it must have a “reasonable chance” to be produced in Canada. One of the following criteria must also meet:

• It is important for the economic or national security of Canada.

• It is necessary for the transition to “to a sustainable carbon -poor and digital economy”.

• It helps Canada to position itself as a “strategic partner” in the global supply chain.

It is also important to note that in Canada’s wider list, a bundle of 17 metals with the name “Rare Earth Minerals” or Lanthanids, which are highly toxic and radioactive.

“Rare earths are a good example of how critical minerals are not necessarily rare, but they can be scarce,” said Steyn. While Lanthanides are all over the earth’s crust, “they have been found in such small quantities that it is very difficult to find a place where we can actually make them commercially feasible.”

The challenge of mining in Canada

Canada is such a place where the mining minerals are commercially feasible.

However, some experts say that this country has not fully exploited its mineral -rich landscape for several reasons.

“These minerals are everywhere, but in recent years we have not necessarily been very good at mountaining,” said Lorinc and noticed that there were some reasons for it.

“Sudbury used to be the global giant for nickel production, and then we dug all the nickel there. I mean there are still some left, but not as before,” he said.

Other deposits – such as the fire ring in the north of Ontario – are located in remote areas in which it is difficult to develop and build the mining infrastructure.

Some indigenous communities fear that these mining developments lead to water pollution or have other harmful environmental impact on the country.

“It is absolutely important that we go through this with local guidance at the table,” said JP Gladu, director and founder of the consulting firm Mokwateh and former President and CEO of the Canadian Council for Aborigines Business.

“We have recognized the importance of strong relationships with indigenous people as a rights holder in this country,” he said, adding that the developments of Greenfield and Brownfield – the former meaning of undeveloped country, which previously developed the latter meaning – will largely require the consent of the First Nations. “

“Countries that can control this space will surely be internationally in a stronger position,” said Gladu.

An example: Canada’s list of critical minerals was updated last year to contain silica stall, which is used to make semiconductor chips, which are in turn used by the largest companies in the world artificial intelligence. This gives you a feeling of how valuable these minerals are for the digital age.

“We have an incredible role in all these sectors,” added Gladu. “But we are sure to fight as a nation to be competitive in the room.”

Why are the geopolitical effects?

The United States and China are fighting for the global tech vormal position, with everyone fighting for state-of-the-art technologies and the resources used for production. China has the advantage of being a mining nation – but perhaps more important is that it is a worldwide leading provider when processing raw minerals from other countries.

The United States used to be a mining force number one, but in the 70s and 80s “they basically became tired of all the associated environmental damage,” said the author, the author. “Mining is very destructive. It creates a lot of pollution and so on.”

“China, which was just opening its economy at this time, said: well, we will do it. We are happy to dig up this stuff in our own country and build the refineries here in China. And they too were very pre -realized,” he said.

Now China uses his strong position by restricting mineral exports to the United States, and the United States is trying to reduce the dependency on its opponent.

That is why Trump has shown interest in growing mineral areas such as Canada and Greenland. For this reason, the United States and Ukraine negotiate a deal so that Ukraine grants the United States access to its minerals in exchange for military help. Ukraine is based on the deal to finance its relaxation after the war.

“Critical minerals are a question of national security for the United States,” said Steyn. “I don’t think it’s a reason for the alarm, but we should be aware of it.”