Critical Minerals in North America: Recap of the Critical Minerals Mission to Colorado

As part of our Canada-U.S. Engagement Plan, the Canadian Chamber recently organized the third of four 2024 business-led trade missions to the United States.

Reflecting on the success of our Critical Minerals Mission to Denver and Golden, Colorado, from September 11-13, 2024, we are excited to share highlights from this landmark initiative. Building on the momentum from our inaugural mission to Washington, D.C., this second mission further strengthened the Canada-U.S. partnership in the critical minerals sector.

The Colorado Mission was a testament to both nations commitment to addressing the global challenges of securing access to critical minerals. At the heart of this initiative was the Minerals Security Partnership and the Canada-U.S. Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration, which lay out a blueprint for mutual success in securing essential resources. This mission has laid a robust foundation for shared economic prosperity and security, reflecting the strategic importance of collaborative efforts.

This mission brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts, creating a platform for recognizing past achievements and discussing future strategies for sustainable economic growth. By uniting representatives from both countries, the event underscored the importance of a coordinated approach to addressing the challenges posed by the critical minerals sector, emphasizing our shared commitment to securing these vital resources and ensuring the resilience of our supply chains.

Throughout the mission, delegates participated in productive industry and government roundtables, engaging in strategic discussions focused not only on the present opportunities but also on shaping a sustainable and secure future. At the Colorado School of Mines’ annual Critical Minerals Symposium, delegates connected with over 300 attendees and heard from a diverse range of experts, further enriching our understanding of the sector.

The Canadian Chamber’s delegation included over 25 Canadian companies, national industry associations, academic institutions and provincial representatives.

Here are some key highlights:

Kick-off lunch with Consulate General 

To kick off the proceedings, we were welcomed in Colorado by Sylvain Fabi, Consul General of Canada in Denver, at a kickoff lunch. We heard from Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister of Trade for the Government of Canada, Stan Pence, Trade Commissioner for Foreign Investment Attraction to Canada (Mining, Oil and Gas), as well as Sean Clark, Senior Trade Commissioner. They shared valuable information about their work in Colorado and the surrounding states, including Kansas, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.

Panel 1: The State of Mining in Colorado 

Moderated by Kelly Ward, President of Women in Mining USA (Denver Chapter), this panel discussion provided an in-depth look at Colorado’s mining industry. Featuring insights from Senator Cleave Simpson of the Colorado General Assembly, Adam Eckman, President & CEO of the Colorado Mining Association, Scott Petsel, President of Metallic Minerals, and John Wilmot, General Manager of Colorado Operations at Climax Molybdenum, the session explored the historical significance, current developments, and future prospects of mining in Colorado. Key topics included the state’s pivotal role in the critical minerals supply chain, the impact of local policies, and how Colorado’s mining sector contributes to both national and international markets.

Panel 2: Building a Skilled Mining Workforce in North America 

The panel discussion, moderated by Lesley Warren, Director of the Mining Future Initiative at the University of Toronto, focused on the challenges and opportunities in developing a skilled workforce for the mining industry. Panellists included Misael Cabrera, Director of the University of Arizona School of Mining, Dr. Snehamoy Chatterjee, Associate Professor at Michigan Technological University, and Sarah Derdowski, Program Manager IN2 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The conversation highlighted the impacts of an aging workforce and the shortage of mining engineers and skilled labour. Strategies for attracting and retaining new talent were discussed, with a strong emphasis on educational initiatives, training programs, and the importance of partnerships between industry and educational institutions to ensure the sustainability and growth of the mining sector in North America.

Panel 3: Critical Minerals and National Security, Defense, and Geopolitics 

Moderated by Photinie Koutsavlis, Vice President of the Mining Association of Canada, this panel brought together industry experts — Cullen Hendrix, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute; Robert Johnston, Executive Director at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University; Morgan Bazilian, Director of the Payne Institute for Public Policy; and Adam C. Burstein, Lead for Strategic & Critical Materials at the Office of the Secretary of Defense — to explore the strategic importance of critical minerals in national security and defense. Discussions highlighted the geopolitical implications arising from dependencies on these essential resources, their indispensable use in defense technologies, and proactive strategies for mitigating risks posed by geopolitical tensions and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Fireside Chat | Governor of Colorado

Matthew Homes, Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, hosted a fireside chat with Jared Polis, the 43rd Governor of Colorado. Their discussion centered around developing critical mineral projects in North America and Colorado’s clean energy initiatives.

Mission Reception 

A cocktail reception was held at the Governor’s Residence (Carriage House) in Denver, Colorado, bringing together government and industry leaders to discuss critical issues in the natural resources sector. The event featured remarks from notable speakers, including: Rep. Matthew Soper, Colorado House of Representatives, Jeff Gaulin, General Manager of Vale Base Metals, David Anonychuk, Global Vice President of Metallurgy and Consulting at SGS (Co-Chair of the Critical Minerals Council) and Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister of Trade.

Panel 4: Financing Critical Minerals Projects in North America  

The panel moderated by Brad Handler, Program Lead of the Sustainable Finance Lab at the Payne Institute, featured insightful discussions from Karr McCurdy, Partner at Rock Elm Capital, and David Hammond, Principal Mineral Economist at Hammond International Group. The discussion examined the financial aspects of developing and sustaining critical mineral projects in North America, including funding opportunities, investment challenges, and innovative financial models such as public-private partnerships and government incentives. Key topics included the necessity for increased capital investment to ensure both the economic viability and environmental responsibility of these projects, as well as strategies to mitigate geopolitical risks related to China’s dominance in the critical minerals sector.

Panel 5: Canada-US Collaboration on Critical Minerals 

During the panel discussion moderated by Marcella Munro, Head of Government & Regulatory Affairs at Teck Resources, expert panellists Chris Davy, Director for Energy Transformation at the U.S. Department of State, and Rob Stewart, Deputy Minister of International Trade at Global Affairs Canada, explored strategies to strengthen cross-border collaboration between Canada and the U.S. The focus was on enhancing economic resilience and competitiveness, particularly regarding critical minerals. With the upcoming CUSMA/USMCA review and Canada’s G7 presidency in 2025, the discussion emphasized how trade policy, regulatory harmonization, strategic partnerships, and innovation can drive shared progress.

Presentation: Updates from the Wilson Center

Christopher Sands, Director of the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center, presented on the state of America’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain and critical minerals strategy. He discussed two pivotal reports: Securing the EV Supply Chain in America and Multidimensional Strategy for Strengthening America’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain. Sands highlighted the vulnerabilities and opportunities within the EV supply chain, emphasizing the importance of U.S.-Canada collaboration in building a resilient and sustainable system.

Visit of the Edgar Experimental Mine 

Delegates visited the Edgar Experimental Mine in Idaho Springs, Colorado. This educational facility serves as a practical training ground for mining students from the Colorado School of Mines, where they can develop their skills in a real-world setting. Once a producer of gold, silver, lead, and copper in the mid to late 19th century, the mine now operates as an “underground laboratory,” allowing prospective engineers to learn essential techniques for exploring and extracting natural resources. The visit was accompanied by Ryan Peay, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Resource Sustainability at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Summary

As we look ahead, the message from America is clear: we need to accelerate the extraction of Canadian critical minerals to enhance the North American ecosystem, supporting both energy transition and the continent’s energy and national security. The conversations in Colorado also served as a strong reminder of the power of the Canada-U.S. partnership, driven by the dedication of individuals, companies, and organizations committed to a future where critical minerals symbolize not just economic growth but our unwavering commitment to a more secure and prosperous world.

Special thanks also go out to our sponsors: Vale Base Metals, Lundin Mining, and SGS, as well as the Colorado School of Mines, the Payne Institute for Public Policy, and the Canadian Consulate General in Denver for their invaluable support and collaboration.

Thank You to Our Sponsors