1<\/sup><\/p>\nIt includes the list of CSMs recognised by the province of Qu\u00e9bec and all essential minerals for battery manufacturing. This list is updated every three years, and the new version was made public on 23 January 2024.<\/p>\n
The QPDCSM\u2019s objectives include stimulating innovation and research. These aspects are percolating in several principles.<\/p>\n
Among the QPDCSM\u2019s achievements to date is the establishment of the CSM-specific research network, which was launched in February 2023. Co-ordination of this network was entrusted to the Consortium de recherche et d\u2019innovation en transformation m\u00e9tallique (CRITM)2<\/sup>, one of nine industrial research groupings (RSRI) in Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\nThe CRITM aims to stimulate industrial research, support companies in carrying out their research projects, and provide them with financial support, making them a partner of choice.<\/p>\n
Since the CRITM does not carry out any research work, it facilitates this inclusive network of companies, researchers, and other stakeholders in the mining sector while remaining independent about the project choices and the researchers who will carry them out.<\/p>\n
In parallel, the government announced funding for two concurrent research and development (R&D) support programmes:34<\/sup>, the advanced materials research and innovation hub in Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\nBoth programmes have received close to CAD$6m in funding since their launch.<\/p>\n
The minist\u00e8re des Ressources naturelles et des For\u00eats (MRNF) also announced the deployment of the Support Program for Mineral Scale-up or Primary Processing for Critical and Strategic Minerals<\/em> (CSM) in April 2023. This programme provides financial support for semi-continuous pilotage projects or demonstration plants involving MCS.<\/p>\nThe goal of the programme is to increase the chances of project success and reduce the associated technical and financial risks. In addition to encouraging innovation through the creation of new processes or improvements to existing ones, this initiative will accelerate the realisation of mineral processing in Qu\u00e9bec and contribute to the development of the sectors necessary for the energy transition, including renewable energy and
The Department also supports, through the QPDCSM, initiatives of Groupe MISA,5<\/sup> the provincial centre of excellence for mining innovation.<\/p>\nWhat initiatives has the Ministry undertaken to support the exploration and production of battery metals in Qu\u00e9bec?<\/h3>\n The acquisition of new geoscientific knowledge throughout the territory is a key element of mining development in Qu\u00e9bec and of the QPDCSM. With this in mind, the government invests more than $18m annually in the acquisition, processing, and dissemination of geological data. This knowledge is showcased and freely available through the SIG\u00c9OM (Qu\u00e9bec Geomining Information System) database,6<\/sup> which contains geoscientific information collected for more than 150 years by the mining industry, by the Minist\u00e8re des Ressources naturelles et des For\u00eats (MRNF) and its partners.<\/p>\nAn internet portal with an interactive map7<\/sup> provides free access to the geoscientific database, considered one of the most comprehensive in the world. Areas suitable for exploration and discoveries from the MNRF\u2019s annual work are published on the Internet and detailed through the Bulletins g\u00e9ologiques.8<\/sup><\/p>\nThe Department also supports CSM exploration innovation through applied research conducted by the Consortium de recherche en exploration min\u00e9rale (CONSOREM)9<\/sup> and the Mineral Exploration Support Program for CSMs.10<\/sup><\/p>\nThe Department is also working closely with various partners to implement the QPDCSM to support the exploration and production of critical minerals. These partners include public corporations and other government departments that support exploration and mining activities and proponents. These partners include:
Investissement Qu\u00e9bec is the government\u2019s financial arm. It has various business units and subsidiaries, including Ressources Qu\u00e9bec. The latter is the entry point for businesses wishing to invest in the natural resources and energy sectors. It supports businesses throughout their projects for exploration, mining, or processing of natural resources and offers the full range of financial products to support them.<\/p>\n
SOQUEM (Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 qu\u00e9b\u00e9coise d\u2019exploration mini\u00e8re) is another subsidiary of Investissement Qu\u00e9bec, whose mission is to promote the exploration, discovery and development of Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s mineral resources. It has participated in and contributed to the startup of hundreds of projects that led to major discoveries, including lithium and rare earths projects.<\/p>\n
The Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 du Plan Nord is a government corporation with the mission to contribute to the integrated and coherent development of northern Qu\u00e9bec in concert with the representatives of the regions and the Indigenous Nations concerned, as well as the private sector. It plays a major role in supporting the communities, businesses and organisations that carry out projects in the territory, while also working to facilitate access to the northern territory.<\/p>\n
The SDBJ aims to promote, from a sustainable development perspective, economic development, improvement, and exploitation of natural resources of the James Bay region other than the hydroelectric resources within Hydro-Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s mandate. It may generate, support, and participate in projects in the pursuit of those objectives.<\/p>\n\u00a9 shutterstock\/Awana JF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFurthermore, Qu\u00e9bec offers one of the best business climates for mining investment. Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s regime includes various measures to support companies in different phases of the mining cycle.<\/p>\n
In addition, the mining regime aims to facilitate the local processing and transformation of extracted mineral commodities.<\/p>\n
How does Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s battery metals industry contribute to the Province\u2019s green energy transition?<\/h3>\n The industry contributes to the electrification of transportation by powering the battery system for transportation, but also a whole related ecosystem that includes companies active in the manufacture of electric buses or in battery recycling.<\/p>\n
Minerals for batteries, such as copper, nickel, and graphite, are also used in other applications necessary for the energy transition, such as equipment related to the production of renewable energy (solar, wind) or electrical wires.<\/p>\n
The industry\u2019s contribution is also made through efforts to carry out mining operations in a responsible manner by minimising negative impacts and maximising benefits both at the environmental and social levels. This is done by integrating the principles of electrification, optimisation, reduction, and circular economy into the development of mining projects and operations.<\/p>\n
What are the Ministry\u2019s plans to mitigate the environmental impact of battery metal mining?<\/h3>\n The circular economy remains an important element of the QPDCSM. The MRNF aims to maximise the use of mine tailings and has begun work in collaboration with the Unit\u00e9 de recherche et de service en technologie min\u00e9rale (URSTM) to develop a methodology for characterising the CSM potential of the unrestored tailings management facilities under the responsibility of the State. Other circular economy initiatives will also be implemented in the coming months.<\/p>\n
In addition, the QPDCSM seeks to support energy efficiency and renewable energy supply for CSM development and valorisation projects.<\/p>\n
It should also be noted that, in Qu\u00e9bec, environmental standards for the mining sector are among the strictest in the world.<\/p>\n
The Department also encourages companies to meet the highest ESG standards. The Sustainable Development Support Program for Mining Companies provides financial support to exploration companies seeking ECOLOGO certification and to mining companies wishing to comply with the principles of the TSM (Towards Sustainable Mining).<\/p>\n
In order to promote the respect of environmental standards and other ESG criteria by Qu\u00e9bec producers to customers and consumers, the Department is also supporting traceability initiatives to track several ESG indicators across the battery metal value chain.<\/p>\n
Last April, the MRNF began a participatory process aimed at determining the winning conditions, particularly to ensure that environmental issues are taken into account for a harmonious development of mining activities in Qu\u00e9bec. It reflects the government\u2019s will to listen to the population and find solutions by seeking their input.<\/p>\n
The general public, regional stakeholders, Indigenous nations and several national groups were invited to participate in various ways between 24 April and 31 May through exchange workshops, a web-based platform including online questionnaires and submission, a virtual consultation workshop with Indigenous communities, a day-long consultation workshop with national stakeholders as well as virtual workshops to exchange information with the public and local stakeholders.<\/p>\n
More than 2,500 interventions were identified during this process, which will help guide government actions to be implemented to promote the harmonious development of Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s mining activities. The resulting action plan is expected to be released in the first half of 2024.<\/p>\n
How is the Ministry addressing the challenges faced by the battery metals industry in Qu\u00e9bec?<\/h3>\n The Department, in collaboration with its partners, has put in place a number of programmes to accelerate the implementation of projects as much as possible while respecting the highest ESG standards.<\/p>\n
In order to reduce transformation risks, the implementation of the Support Program for the Scale-up of Mineral or Primary Processing Processes for Critical and Strategic Minerals (CSM) encourages companies to develop their processes according to the rules, which avoids costly errors that may subsequently occur.<\/p>\n
The Department, in collaboration with its government partners, has also implemented initiatives to reduce project approval times without compromising environmental requirements.<\/p>\n
Capital attraction also remains an issue. The QPDCSM is, therefore, also intended to promote CSM projects to foreign investors. The government mining promotion team, which includes the MRNF, the Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 du Plan Nord, Investissement Qu\u00e9bec, SOQUEM and the Minist\u00e8re des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie, is continuing its international promotion activities.<\/p>\n
In recent years, it has made presentations on the QPDCSM and Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s mineral potential at a number of provincial, national and international events. The government team\u2019s participation in these events also helped promote Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s potential to new international, private and institutional investors.<\/p>\n
How is the Ministry planning to balance the economic benefits of battery metal mining with the preservation of Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s natural landscapes?<\/h3>\n Obligations to restore mining sites are included in the law. The Department\u2019s approach to promoting the harmonious development of the mining sector considers the concerns raised by stakeholders, particularly concerning the preservation of Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s natural environments and landscapes.<\/p>\n
A legal mechanism exists for the designation by municipalities of territories incompatible with mining activities.<\/p>\n\u00a9 shutterstock\/Marjorie Anctil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe MRNF is also involved with other government departments in thinking about the designation of protected areas and conservation areas in the province.<\/p>\n
What is the Ministry\u2019s vision for the future of the battery metals industry in Qu\u00e9bec?<\/h3>\n The vision resulting from the QPDCSM is that Qu\u00e9bec be recognised as a reliable, ethical and sustainable partner that actively contributes to global energy and technological transitions and to the creation of wealth in a greener economy through the production, transformation and recycling of quality CSMs.<\/p>\n
The Department is also working with partner departments and government corporations to ensure maximum integration and collaboration between the mining sector and the downstream portion of the battery value chain that is developing in Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n
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