- UK and Canada to sign agreement to bolster vital technologies
such as smart phones, solar panels and electric vehicles.
- Agree to work together on critical minerals research and make
supply chains more resilient as demand for some minerals expected
to rise 500% by 2040.
- Agreement signed on Minister Nus Ghani’s five-day visit to
Canada to meet counterparts and attend the International Mines
Ministers Summit and the closing of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The UK and Canada have agreed a landmark agreement to co-operate
on critical minerals such as cobalt and lithium that are
essential to the economy and used in almost all modern and green
technologies, from solar panels to electric vehicles.
The partnership, to be launched today [Monday 6 March] by
Business and Trade Minister and Canadian Minister of
Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson, will help make UK
manufacturers of cutting-edge technologies more resilient to
global shocks by promoting research and development between UK
and Canadian businesses, driving innovation and growth.
The announcement comes on a five-day visit to Canada, during
which time Minister Ghani will also meet Canadian government
counterparts to discuss critical minerals and attend the
International Ministers Mines Summit and the closing of the
Toronto Stock Exchange.
Minister for Business and Trade, , said:
Every single one of us depend on critical minerals to make the
technology we use in our everyday lives. With a dash for minerals
to meet national business needs, it is essential we work to build
more resilient supply chains for critical minerals.
Through this Dialogue, we will work with one of our closest
global allies in Canada to build and strengthen our supply chains
and boost innovation, securing jobs and growing the UK economy in
the process.
Canadian Minister of Natural Resources, The Honourable
Jonathan Wilkinson, said:
Canada and the United Kingdom share similar goals and values.
By collaborating on the development of the critical mineral
supply chains that we need to achieve our net-zero future, we can
reinforce global energy security, advance the fight against
climate change and ensure significant economic opportunity and
support good jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Today’s announcement is a step forward toward a sustainable and
secure clean energy ecosystem.
Canada is the UK’s 13th largest export partner, with UK companies
last year exporting £14.1 billion worth of products to
Canada. Canada represents a large opportunity for UK mining
and engineering firms, with the country currently producing 60
minerals and metals at 200 mines and 6,500 quarries.
The Critical Minerals Statement of Intent and Dialogue will be
launched by Minister Ghani at the 2023 Prospectors and Developers
Association of Canada Convention. They also commit Canada and the
UK to high environmental, social and governance standards in
critical minerals supply chains.
Demand for certain critical minerals is expected to rise by as
much as 500% by 2040, and the Statement and Dialogue are a part
of the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy to secure supply chains
for these minerals and therefore the UK’s position in the growing
markets for green technologies, such as hydrogen production and
nuclear energy. A refreshed approach for delivering the Strategy
is due to be published later this year.
