Insights from 50 Years of Buried Data on Canada's Mining Oversight
According to a new commentary piece by Dal's Alana Westwood and Ben Collison in Policy Options, Canada's fragmented approach to mining assessments has resulted in incomplete information for regulators, communities, and the industry.
The global demand for critical minerals, such as lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements, is increasing due to the clean-energy transition, digital infrastructure, and geopolitical shifts.
These minerals are necessary for clean tech and national defence.
Authors Alana Westwood and Ben Collison note that this surge in demand is driving governments in Canada to unlock subsurface resources, heading into a modern mining rush.
Author's summary: Canada's mining oversight is hindered by incomplete data.