PDAC Platform Roadmap

• Revolutionize Canadian supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign inputs by leveraging domestic ingenuity in mineral exploration, extraction, processing and manufacturing
• Prioritize regulatory integration with provinces and territories to ensure a singular process applies to natural resource projects and to fast-track development of new mineral extraction, hydroelectric, nuclear and natural gas energy sources to support industrial capacity growth
• Leverage trade relationships with allied nations to secure offtake and similar raw and refined materials agreements to establish a floor pricing for responsibly sourced Canadian minerals 

With global efforts to introduce technological advancements in energy, transportation, communications and every other facet of life, Canada’s mineral exploration and mining industry is under pressure to meet the rising demand for minerals like copper, nickel and zinc that are often considered critical or strategic. 

Canada's ability to supply these minerals is diminishing despite their growing importance to modern life: energy generation and transmission, transportation, housing, artificial intelligence and digital technologies are all dependent on critical minerals. 

We must seize the chance to capitalize on the capabilities of our mineral explorers and miners; on the potential Canada holds for new mineral discoveries to be integrated into future industries; on our capacity to become both more sustainable and self-reliant in sourcing mineral inputs; and on the opportunity to strengthen trading opportunities with important partner nations. 

Our capabilities to bring new mineral products to Canada and the world will be limited by our capacity to energize and connect new mines to domestic and global supply chains. Fluctuations in commodity prices that stem from irresponsible mining practices abroad can also undercut our ability to develop responsible mineral sources. Thus, we must maximize our relationships with allied nations to enshrine responsible practices in the value of commodities around the world.

To boost domestic competitiveness and attract investment into Canadian mineral exploration, extraction and processing, we must look beyond niche fiscal incentives

• Expand fiscal incentives to encourage greater domestic retail investor participation in Canadian capital markets
• Invest in infrastructure to connect critical mineral sources that are sequestered in remote areas to boost economic potential and accelerate industrial capacity
• Develop public joint-venture funding mechanisms to support the growth of Canadian mineral development and processing capacity 

Without swift action, Canada risks losing its competitive advantage. PDAC research shows a decade long trend of declining mineral reserves and shrinking production for many critical minerals, which threatens Canada's natural wealth (i.e. the amount of known minerals and metals available to support the needs of the public) and ability to face generational shifts in global trade, energy, transportation and industry.

Looking back, Canada previously ranked second in the world for nickel production. However, our production of copper and nickel has declined by nearly 30% over the last decade. Today we are just managing to remain a top 10 producer of nickel, gold, iron ore and zinc. Targeted investment in the sector can help reverse this decline, ensuring Canada remains a leading producer while upholding our high sustainability standards. Canadian companies represent some of the lowest carbon intensity producers of minerals and metals globally. These achievements come in part from reliance on hydroelectric and nuclear energy in mineral extraction and processing. 

Looking ahead, Canada must continue expanding energy generation and integrating new technology into grids to support future population and industrial growth. This will require industries to establish completely new supply chains and new mineral sources: recycling and improved efficiency alone are not enough to provide the materials needed for future generations.

Demonstrate long-term support for Canadian projects by guaranteeing certainty for existing mineral exploration incentives and flexibility for clean tech and manufacturing incentives

• Make the Mineral and Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credits (METC/CMETC) permanent fixtures in Canada’s Income Tax Act
• Close the gap in flow-through share eligibility to accelerate economic scoping, assessment activities and development of viable mineral deposits
• Adjust the Clean Tech Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (CTM-ITC) so that it works for Canadian mineral deposits 

Many mineral exploration projects and viable deposits may stall during the discovery and definition processes due to a lack of available investment capital or essential infrastructure needed to move a new discovery toward economic feasibility. The Government of Canada can accelerate the number of domestic shovel-ready mineral projects by maximizing current tax incentives at both the exploration and development stages. 

Providing long-term certainty for mineral explorers by making both the METC and CMETC a permanent part of Canada’s fiscal landscape and expanding eligibility of these credits to allow companies to perform feasibility assessments are simple and effective decisions within our grasp. Additionally, adjusting the CTM-ITC to include projects that primarily produce critical minerals will boost the number of mines being built on Canadian soil.

Federal leadership in land tenure, land use, and designation of Indigenous rights that reinforces the originally intended scopes of UNDRIP and FPIC.

• Establish clear and consistent processes for land-based rights determinations, tenure decisions, and designation of communities of interest under federal legislation
• Provide clarity and explicit rationale regarding land rights to development proponents and communities of interest to ensure predictability and mitigate risk of shared-territory disputes
• Ensure consistency and clarity of proponent roles and responsibilities with respect to land tenure and transboundary rights challenges occurring across Canada and commit to leadership in facilitating FPIC for industrial development in Canada

Inconsistent application of UNDRIP, misinterpretations of its intent, and conflicting definitions of FPIC have given rise to a litigious landscape, where uncertainty in land access and project approvals is discouraging investment and barring project development. In its original adoption, UNDRIP was intended to be a path towards partnership and reconciliation - not an avenue for legal recourse.

The federal government must take leadership in land tenure decisions and federal project approvals, establishing clear and transparent decision-making processes and ensuring consistency in Canadian law, thereby creating an environment conducive to respectful dialogue, relationship building, and meaningful economic reconciliation.

Rapidly increase funding for and access to public geoscience to empower governments, communities and all stakeholders across Canada to make evidence-based decisions and balance mineral resource development with other public priorities

• Prioritize identifying viable locations for development of processing hubs and increase decision-making capacity across all stakeholder groups to accelerate domestic supply chain development
• Government leadership in assessment work and infrastructure development required to increase capacity and stave off declining production trends for minerals in Canada
• Adopt protected and conserved area protocols that are more consistent with other IUCN protocol nations, so Canada’s conservation efforts are properly measured relative to key trade partners and ‘Target 1’ signatories

Protection of Canada’s diverse landscape and biomes is paramount for future generations and a major part of doing so is ensuring there are responsibly sourced raw materials to provide energy, infrastructure and technology for generations to come. While Canadian policies may be limited to our borders, emissions and environmental impacts of human activity do not stop at such boundaries. 

A predisposition towards protecting regions of Canada from any development before understanding what potential may exist for natural resource development reflects an unbalanced and uninformed approach. In some cases, development of natural resources may supersede preservation and protection motives, and this determination can only come through evaluation of a region's natural resource potential that is done in concert with conservation and protection evaluation. 

The Government of Canada should be a proponent for major infrastructure development needed to link mineral extraction and processing potential to broader domestic and international supply chains (i.e. road, rail, energy, port facilities, etc.), particularly in northern and remote regions of Canada where the infrastructure deficit is particularly acute.

If Canada aims to continue forward with commitments made on the international stage, such as the Target 1 initiative to protect and conserve 30% of our land and oceans by 2030, we should do so from a perspective that considers domestic needs, our potential to support supply chains here at home and abroad, and by measuring conservation in the same way as other signatory nations.

Fund education and training in mineral exploration and mining, from skilled trades to technical and professional services, to ensure Canada continues to generate a workforce to meet the demands of the future

• Support alignment of education curricula with industry needs, as well as targeted recruitment campaigns for underrepresented groups to encourage broader participation in the mineral industry workforce
• Promote research and development initiatives aimed at advancing exploration technologies, such as remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and geospatial analysis
• Increase targeted capacity funding and educational resources available to Indigenous Peoples to enable meaningful and informed participation, and support community preparedness for mineral development activities 

The average compensation in Canada’s mining industry is $139,217, nearly double the all-industry average of $72,641. However, the sector is facing a talent crisis, highlighted by a decline in workers under the age of 25 from 12% to 5% since the 2010s. With record-low enrollment in post-secondary geology education foretelling even further declines, reversing this trend will require coordinated support.

In addition, despite immigration driving Canada’s population growth and making up 32% of the nation’s workforce in 2023, immigrants comprised only 8% of the Mining and Quarrying sector. This underrepresentation highlights barriers such as recognition of credentials, industry awareness, and accessibility challenges that prevent skilled individuals from contributing. Many internationally trained engineers and geoscientists have the necessary expertise for mining jobs, but the lack of bridging programs often results in their underemployment or displacement into unrelated fields.

Indigenous youth represent one of the fastest-growing demographics in Canada, making this cohort a crucial talent pool for the future of mineral exploration and mining. Canada’s mineral industry operates on lands that often intersect with Indigenous territories. Increasing targeted capacity funding and educational resources for Indigenous Peoples, beginning at the earliest stages of education, is essential to ensuring their meaningful participation in mineral development activities. This approach not only upholds Indigenous rights but also fosters economic reconciliation and long-term industry sustainability.