Grant: Alliance Grants

On March 11, 2021, the Government of Canada published its list of critical elements also referred to as critical minerals. The list includes 31 minerals considered integral to the Canadian economy, all of which are found in Canada. Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, released in December 2022, identified six minerals (lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, copper and rare earth elements) initially prioritized for their potential to spur Canadian economic growth and their necessity as inputs for priority supply chains. More recently (summer 2023) the province of Manitoba published its critical mineral strategy prioritizing four critical minerals (lithium, copper, nickel and silica). We have assembled a critical metals consortium (CMC) consisting of researchers from two institutions (Fayek and Camacho, University of Manitoba, and Hollings, Lakehead University) and two industry partners (New Age Metals and Grid Metals) to develop novel exploration models for lithium mineralizing systems in Manitoba. The proposed research will generate transformative knowledge on the important physical and geochemical interactions underpinning the formation of these deposits that can be used to improve exploration strategies. This approach will reduce costs and improve exploration strategies, especially in sensitive environments such as Northern Canada. The expected outcomes include: (1) a method for industry to distinguish between barren and mineralized systems, (2) an improved tectonic framework (e.g., identify high priority structural targets) for these critical mineral deposits that can be applied to under-explored regions, (3) an increased number of HQP with exploration and research skills in the targeted areas, such as economic geology and mineral exploration, and (4) transfer of knowledge and expertise related to critical mineral deposits to industry proponents. The outcome of this research will provide a set of guidelines for the exploration of these types of deposits in Canada and abroad.