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Canada has launched its new Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator with its first Strategic Investment Agreement, supporting the proposed expansion of Teck Resources’ Trail Operations to increase domestic processing capacity for critical minerals and strengthen resilient supply chains.
The Government of Canada has launched the Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator (CCMA) and announced its first Strategic Investment Agreement, supporting the proposed expansion of Teck Resources Limited’s Trail Operations in Trail.
The agreement, signed by the CCMA, the Canada Growth Fund (CGF) and Teck, is intended to accelerate investment in critical minerals processing while supporting Canada’s strategy to strengthen domestic supply chains and increase production capacity.
Investment to Expand Critical Minerals Processing
The expansion forms part of Teck’s potential investment of up to USD$850 million equivalent in Trail Operations to sustain and enhance critical minerals processing capacity from a portfolio of feed sources.
According to the announcement, the project could double the facility’s existing production capacity for germanium and antimony while potentially adding new gallium production capacity.
Trail Operations currently produces 19 products, employs more than 1,400 people and is one of the world’s largest fully integrated polymetallic smelting and refining complexes.
New Investment Model for Critical Minerals
Introduced in Budget 2025, the CCMA is a Natural Resources Canada initiative delivered by Export Development Canada. It is designed to accelerate Canadian critical minerals projects across the value chain, from extraction through to processing.
Under the agreement, the Canada Growth Fund will establish the commercial framework for an equity-like investment of up to USD$400 million directly into the Trail facility.
The agreement also enables the Government of Canada, through the CCMA, to negotiate an offtake structure that could include rights to a portion of future germanium, antimony and gallium production.
Supporting Domestic Supply Chains
The federal government said the initiative is intended to strengthen Canada’s position as a reliable supplier of critical minerals while improving supply chain resilience for strategic industries.
The project has also been identified as a priority under Government of British Columbia’s Look West strategy and may benefit from streamlined regulatory processes and potential support through the British Columbia Strategic Investment Fund.
Government Focus on Project Delivery
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said: “Canada has what the world wants, and we are moving decisively to get projects built faster so we can provide for ourselves and our partners. Our new Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator is about turning Canadian resource abundance into real projects by giving industry the certainty to invest and grow, even in a volatile global market. By working with companies like Teck, aligning with provinces and territories and partnering with the Canada Growth Fund and Export Development Canada, we are using every tool in our toolbox to build Canada Strong.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, said: “Today’s Critical Minerals Accelerator agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening our economic resilience and securing the critical resources that will power the global transition to cleaner technologies. By pursuing strategic investment agreements in Canada’s abundant critical minerals sector, we are driving innovation, creating good-paying jobs and reinforcing Canada’s role as a trusted partner in building resilient and sustainable global supply chains. The Accelerator will help unlock long-term prosperity by ensuring Canadians benefit from the responsible development of our natural resources — supporting stronger communities, a more competitive economy and lasting opportunities for generations to come.”
First Project Under New Accelerator
The Strategic Investment Agreement represents the first project announced under the Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator.
The government said the programme is designed to invest alongside industry using investment structures that generate returns, with proceeds intended to be reinvested into future critical minerals projects while supporting Canada’s domestic supply chain, economic priorities and long-term critical minerals strategy.
Jonathan Price, President and CEO, Teck Resources Limited, said: “Teck’s Trail Operations is a cornerstone of North America’s critical minerals ecosystem. Collaboration with CGF and the Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator will help advance the opportunity we have to quickly and significantly increase production capacity for key strategic metals and help strengthen secure, responsible supply chains. By leveraging Trail’s existing infrastructure and expertise, this initiative has the potential to deliver new supply of strategic metals while providing strong returns for Teck shareholders.”
This article was produced by the editorial team at Mining Outlook and published as part of the Outlook Publishing global network of B2B industry magazines.
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