Critical Path visuals

See our report for context. All text and graphs are Creative Commons licensed and free to use with attribution.

Figure 1

This figure shows that Canada's critical minerals sector has barely scratched the surface of a multi-billion-dollar opportunity. The estimated value in copper, lithium, cobalt and graphite reserves are a lot bigger than the production in 2024.

Figure 2

This figure shows that Canada risk losing our on billions each year by 2040 if production doesn't meet domestic demand.

Figure 3a

This figure shows that Canada's future exports are not dependent on the U.S. alone—demand in other countries is expected to grow significantly.

Figure 3B

This figure shows Canada's nickel exports from 2021 to 2040 to the U.S., the E.U., other countries and China. All of them are set to increase over the years.

Figure 4

This figure shows that critical minerals investments can be risky due to volatile prices. The price of cobalt, copper, nickel, and mainly nickel, was more volatile between 2022 and 2024 than between 2018 and 2022.

Figure 5

This figure shows that financial risk-sharing agreements insulate investors from the volatility of market swings.

Figure 6

This figure shows the different steps of approval for a mining project, including Indigenous consultation at each step of the process: Exploration, Évaluation, Construction, Operation, Closure and reclamation.