Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program
Canada
Funding for critical mineral projects
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateSeptember 11, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateSeptember 29, 2023
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
grant_single|grantors
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Get financial support for your project that will help advance the development of products, processes, and technologies to the pre-commercialization phase of critical mineral mining.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program supports the development of processing technologies through a structured funding approach. Two streams of funding provide financial assistance for projects at different stages of technological advancement.
- Federal research and development (R&D) projects funded through federal research laboratories, with allocations made as funding becomes available.
- Contribution funding for pilot plant and demonstration projects to validate processing technologies.
- Allocations made in phases, with recent funding up to $40 million for midstream projects at technology readiness levels 6-8.
- Plans for new or improved technologies at technology readiness levels 2-5 for upstream and midstream projects.
- Funding structured to align federal R&D with industry needs through expressions of interest and collaborative efforts with academia and industry.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program prioritizes projects that innovate in the processing technologies for critical minerals. This includes advancing the commercial readiness of mineral processing operations and technologies.
- Continuous pilot campaigns for bioleaching processes to recover nickel, cobalt, and copper from pyrrhotite tailings.
- Demonstration of a hydrometallurgical process for recycling black mass on a continuous production basis.
- Pilot upgrading of La Loutre graphite to meet high purity levels for battery anodes.
- Optimization and validation of a hydrometallurgical process for high-purity cobalt sulfate production.
- Commercial demonstration of the RapidSX™ rare earth element separation technology.
- Exploration and optimization of processing nickel concentrate into battery intermediates.
- Separation of dysprosium and terbium oxide using a solvent extraction process.
- Demonstration of producing high-purity nickel, cobalt, and copper for zero-emission vehicle batteries.
- Sustainability demonstration of recycling rare earth elements from magnet scrap.
- Construction and operation of a direct lithium extraction pilot plant from brine.
- Evaluation of integrating MHP into Sherritt’s Fort Saskatchewan Metals Refinery for efficient high-purity nickel and cobalt production.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 55,000
Evaluate the feasibility of the Dumont Nickel Concentrate process
$ 50,000
Upgrade La Loutre graphite using advanced purification techniques
$ 35,000
Pilot bioleaching process for recovery of battery metals from pyrrhotite tailings
$ 100,000
Demonstrate RapidSX™ commercialization plant
$ 40,000
Pilot a cobalt sulphate process
$ 70,000
Implement black mass recycling project to recover valuable metals from e-waste
grant_single_labels|admissibility
No eligibility criteria are mentioned for this grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant. The expenses include:
- Travel costs related to the project
- Materials and supplies for project implementation
- Consultation fees for expert advice
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant supports projects located across various provinces and territories in Canada. It is aimed at advancing commercial readiness in critical mineral processing technologies nationwide.
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Cobalt, Ontario and Temiskaming Shores, Ontario
- Lac-des-Plages, Quebec
- Northwest Territories
- Kingston, Ontario
- Amos, Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- British Columbia
- Saint-Hubert and Longueuil, Quebec
- Calgary, Alberta
- Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
grant_single_labels|register
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program (CMRDD) focuses on advancing Canadian mining projects and developing domestic critical minerals value chains. It involves two funding streams, with projects aimed at various stages of mineral processing technologies being reviewed and funded.
- The CMRDD is providing $192.1 million in federal funding.
- Funding streams include federal R&D projects and contribution funding for pilot and demonstration projects.
- Federal R&D projects are aligned with industry needs and supported by Canada's federal research facilities.
- Contribution funding supports midstream projects at technology readiness levels 6–8.
- The program aims to propel projects into the pilot and demonstration phase of development.
