Iran Conflict Sparks Helium Shock, Threatens Global Chip Supply Conflicts in the Middle East have triggered a helium shortage that is rattling high-end chipmakers, with cascading consequences across global supply chains.

Interesting note from Karen Hui at @asiapacificfdn.bsky.social on the current helium supply disruption and the opportunities for Canada
www.asiapacific.ca/publication/...

#criticalminerals

How northern Ontario researchers are using bacteria-powered tech to extract critical minerals from mine waste - Canada News Beep Researchers in Sudbury, Ont., are working on scaling up bacteria-powered technology in an effort to recover valuable metals from old mine waste.

How northern Ontario researchers are using bacteria-powered tech to extract critical minerals from mine waste

https://www.newsbeep.com/ca/591374/

Researchers in Sudbury, Ont., are working on scaling up bacteria-powered technology in an effort to recover valuable metals…

A timely new report for those who want to learn more about the rare earth and magnet value chains

Critical minerals, critical decisions: Industrial policy for the energy transition | The global shift to low-carbon energy is mineral-intensive. Lithium, copper, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements are essential for batteries, renewable power and advanced manufacturing.

unctad.org/publication/...

Global copper demand outstrips supply, threatening electrification and industrial growth There’s lots of copper in the ground, but demand is already outstripping usable supply – and the shortfall is likely to get worse.

theconversation.com/global-coppe...

Copper prices have hit record highs, but smelters face mounting strategic pressures – Analysis - IEA Copper prices have hit record highs, but smelters face mounting strategic pressures - A commentary by Shobhan Dhir, Mari Nishiumi, Tae-Yoon Kim

IEA piece from last week about why copper prices are rising while treatment and refining charges for processing are so low (negative)
www.iea.org/commentaries...

Context:
Lynas is one of the few REE producers outside China.
Mount Weld in Australia is one of the world's largest REE mines.
• early processing in Australia
• separation in Malaysia
• planned separation capacity in the US

JARE is backed by JOGMEC (Japanese government) and Sojitz.
3/3

• 5 ktpa of the 7.2 ktpa NdPr oxide off-take is subject to a price floor
• 50% off take of all heavy REE oxide produced by Lynas
• Price floor: $110/kg for NdPr oxide, similar to the MP Materials deal.
2 differences:
• 30% upside sharing only above $150/kg
• Upside capped at $10M per year
2/3

After the US & MP materials, Japan and Australia are also adopting the CfD-style model for rare earths.
wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/LYC/0306...

Australian REE producer Lynas and JARE (Japan Australia Rare Earths B.V.) signed a long-term off-take agreement with interesting pricing mechanisms 1/3

Canada’s lack of mineral processing capabilities is a defence vulnerability, committee hears Reliance on foreign refining could expose Canada to supply disruption, export controls and geopolitical pressure, experts say

www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...

National Energy Corridor is an important step towards setting electrons free Today’s announcement of a first-of-its-kind interprovincial-territorial electricity partnership is an important step towards the reliable, affordable, and resilient electricity system that will power ...

Today's announcement of an interprovincial-territorial electricity partnership is an important step towards building the reliable, affordable, and resilient electricity system that will power Canada’s future.

Read our statement on the agreement: transitionaccelerator.ca/news-and-ins...

A neat figure from the latest IEA report ⬇️

Clean Energy Technology Supply Chain Data – Analysis - IEA Clean Energy Technology Supply Chain Data - Analysis and key findings. A report by the International Energy Agency.

New IEA report on clean energy supply chain data www.iea.org/reports/clea...

Our Future Economy team is growing: https://transitionaccelerator.ca/careers/

We're looking for two analysts to help put Canada on the path to a competitive clean economy. If you're an expert on critical minerals or industrial policy you're creating transformational change, let us know!

Opinion: The rupture is here: Why Canada needs an economic security act like Japan's Japan's approach is exactly what Canada needs: a targeted, collaborative approach to building essential capabilities. Read more.

As the lines between economy and security are increasingly blurred, Canada needs a broader vision for national security.

Read our VP Future Economy Bentley Allan on why Canada needs an economic security act like Japan's in today's Financial Post: https://ow.ly/QIGe50YctQl

This⬇️

Happy birthday, and happy reading 😄

That's a valid question this year... I remember you mentioning interesting sources from the British Geological Survey?

Mineral Commodity Summaries Published on an annual basis, this report is the earliest Government publication to furnish estimates covering nonfuel mineral industry data. Data sheets contain information on the domestic industry s...

The 2026 edition of the USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries is out!
www.usgs.gov/centers/nati...

Stockpiling critical minerals is complex due to their diverse forms

Many materials present a range of storage challenges, such as reactivity or sensitivity to humidity

Effective stockpiling systems must take these warehousing requirements into account 👉 iea.li/3Z6WZC0

The 2026 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List

The 2026 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List has 372 tenure-track positions and 70 teaching-only positions: docs.google.com/spreadsheets... #facultychemjobs #chemsky #chemchat ⚗️🧪

Does regulation delay mines? A timeline and economic benefit audit of British Columbia mines Seeking to capitalize on a surge in global demand for critical minerals, the Canadian mining sector claims that regulatory processes like Environmental Assessment (EA) impede and delay mining’s econom...

Which reminds me, it is often perceived that regulation is mainly responsible for project delays in Canada. But the paper linked below argued that most BC mine projects were delayed due to economic and financial dynamics. Not regulatory. www.facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/...

Knowledge & research | Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Research supports understanding and can lead to better informed policy by governments and investment choices by our experts and our partners.

Canada has significant mineral reserves, but most projects are stuck in pre-production. @cib-bic.bsky.social identifies why: shallow capital markets, low investor familiarity, opaque pricing, infrastructure gaps, and perceived risks of delay.
cib-bic.ca/en/work-with...

#canada #criticalminerals

The agreement between Canada and China is a bold step towards diversifying Canadian trade—but the real test will be whether policymakers can manage the tightrope without triggering U.S. retaliation.

Read bentleyallan.bsky.social on today's announcement: https://ow.ly/Soet50XY3Mj

Exporting the Future Economy: A Canadian Trade Diversification Strategy Investing in clean energy supply chains is a trade diversification strategy: one that also advances climate action, increases our geopolitical resilience, and secures economic prosperity.

And read our other work at @transitionaccelerator.ca about how to diversify Canadian trade within this new international context:
transitionaccelerator.ca/reports/expo...

Learn from the Best: Why Canada's China Deal Could Make Industrial Policy Sense This morning, Canada and China announced a new strategic partnership including an agreement to facilitate trade in EVs, canola, and steel, as well as broader cooperation on multilateralism and investm...

'By combining selective market exposure with potential joint ventures, Canada is borrowing from the playbook that built China’s own manufacturing prowess.'
Read @bentleyallan.bsky.social's note on Canada's deal with China here:
transitionaccelerator.ca/blog/learn-f...

Canada reaches tariff deal with China on electric vehicles, canola In a break with the U.S., Ottawa will roll back tariffs on thousands of Chinese-made vehicles in exchange for major cuts to Beijing’s levies on canola and seafood

A softening of trade tension between Canada & China
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...

Carney conclut un accord avec la Chine sur les véhicules électriques et le canola

Cela s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un partenariat stratégique plus large que le Canada est en train de forger avec la Chine.

Mise à jour – Direction : L’Accélérateur de transition a le plaisir d’annoncer la nomination de Moe Kabbara à titre de nouveau PDG, à compter du 1er janvier 2026.

Pour en savoir plus, veuillez consulter l’annonce complète sur notre site Web : accelerateurdetransition.ca/blog/moe-kab...

Minerals at War: Strategic Resources and the Foundations of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Across conflicts, the United States used stockpiles, price controls, public financing, and foreign procurement to manage mineral supply shocks—only to dismantle them in peacetime. History shows mineral security demands sustained industrial policy, not episodic investment.

"Rebuilding minerals resilience today will require not only new investments and policies, but the deliberate reconstruction of capabilities, institutions, and habits that history shows are far easier to lose than to restore."

Read more from @minerals.csis.org: www.csis.org/analysis/min...