2025-2031 Québec Strategy for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals

Québec is recognized as a reliable, ethical and sustainable partner for the supply of critical and strategic materials. Its potential in this regard is undeniable and has become increasingly known around the world, particularly over the past five years.

With this experience, the government is taking the next step and moving forward with its economic vision. Thus, the 2025-2031 Québec Strategy for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals will make Québec a hub for critical and strategic minerals on the international stage.

The objective of the Strategy is to create wealth by consolidating Québec’s role as a key player in the exploration, production, processing and recycling of critical and strategic minerals.

To do so, it aims to create the right conditions for the development and processing of critical and strategic minerals in Québec by manufacturing value-added products that are essential to the energy and technological transition. It relies notably on local and international partnerships.

$88.1M is being provided to support the Strategy.

Based on the following four orientations, the government has targeted actions to consolidate Québec’s advantageous and strategic position.

Orientation 1: Improve the business environment and accelerate projects

The legal and regulatory environment is one of the key factors influencing mining investment. The application of Québec’s framework will be improved so that mining projects can develop at a steady pace. The government must ensure that it minimizes approval times while maintaining the rigour of its legal and regulatory framework.

Among the actions to be taken, we want to facilitate the issuance of rights, permits and authorizations by:

• accelerating work on regulatory and administrative streamlining;
• developing a service offering to facilitate the proponents' processes.

Orientation 2: Develop the entire critical and strategic mineral value chain

The development of mining projects for some critical and strategic minerals presents additional technical and commercial challenges compared to that of minerals traditionally produced in Québec.

It is essential to promote mineral exploration, stimulate development and mining, take advantage of the processing of minerals here in Québec, and finally, to structure critical and strategic mineral value chains around the principles of circular economy.

Among the actions to be taken, we notably want to:

• encourage the discovery of new deposits;
• accelerate the completion of preliminary economic assessments;
• support the development of development and mining projects;
• drive the digital transformation of mining;
• attract capital and strategic partners;
• foster the development of integrated sectors.

Orientation 3: Plan and develop strategic logistics infrastructure and corridors

Long distances and the lack or absence of transportation infrastructure in a large part of Québec, particularly in the northern territory, hinder the competitiveness of mining projects and delay their development.

Connecting mining projects to road, rail, marine and telecommunications networks is essential. Furthermore, access to energy is a strategic consideration for the development of mining projects.

Among the actions to be taken, we want to:

• Develop a vision and infrastructure development plan for the Labrador Trough, the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region and their surrounding areas;
• Improving access to renewable energy.

Orientation 4: Engage partners

Mining development is a major economic driver, and to make the most of it, Québec wants to build strong partnerships.

The Strategy therefore focuses on engaging Indigenous and local communities, businesses and international partners to create lasting economic benefits and foster social acceptability for projects.

Among the actions to be taken, we want to:

• strengthen the capacity of host communities to participate in the development of mining activities;
• address the labour issue;
• enhance knowledge of the mining ecosystem;
• strengthen foreign partnerships.

Refer to the following documents for full details: