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|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|projects
Several projects and activities are eligible for funding under the CMRDD Program, aimed at advancing the development and commercialization of critical mineral processing technologies in Canada.
- Piloting of bioleaching processes for recovery of battery metals (Ni and Co) from pyrrhotite tailings
- Black Mass Recycling Project
- La Loutre Graphite Upgrading
- Cobalt Sulphate Process Pilot
- RapidSX™ Commercialization Demonstration Plant
- Technical and Economical Feasibility of Dumont Nickel Concentrate
- Solvent Extraction for the Separation of Dysprosium and Terbium
- Battery Material Supply Chain Integration
- Recycling and Production of Rare-Earth Oxides from Permanent Magnet Scrap
- Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Pilot Project
- Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) Integration into Sherritt’s Fort Saskatchewan Metals Refinery
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
Project applications for the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program are currently in review. Funded projects will be announced in spring 2024.
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Cobalt, Ontario
- Temiskaming Shores, Ontario
- Lac-des-plages, Quebec
- Northwest Territories
- Kingston, Ontario
- Amos, Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- British Columbia
- Saint-Hubert, Quebec
- 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.
Apply to this program
Summary of the Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration Program
The Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration Program (CMRDD) is a Canadian federal initiative providing $192.1 million to support the advancement of innovative processing technologies within the critical minerals sector. This program aims to propel Canadian mining projects toward production and bolster domestic critical minerals value chains through two primary funding streams focused on research and development, as well as commercial readiness.
Detailed Explanation of the Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration Program
The Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration Program (CMRDD) is a groundbreaking federal initiative developed to promote the advancement of Canada’s critical minerals industry. With a substantial budget of $192.1 million, this program not only underscores the federal government's commitment to fostering the country's minerals sector but also aims to ensure a sustainable and secure supply of critical minerals essential for clean technology and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The CMRDD operates through two primary funding streams designed to support different stages of technological readiness and innovation:
Federal Research and Development
The Federal Research and Development stream targets projects at lower technology readiness levels (TRL 2–5), focusing on pioneering research that has the potential to make significant impacts on the critical minerals industry in Canada. This encompasses activities such as identifying novel mineral processing methods, improving existing technologies, and aligning research outputs with industry needs. This stream is particularly vital for propelling projects from conceptual phases into pilot and demonstration stages.
From 2022 to 2024, an initial allocation of $35.7 million was distributed across 30 R&D projects. These projects, undertaken by federal research laboratories, concentrated on essential themes such as battery minerals, mining value from waste, and clean technologies. The program recently announced an additional allocation of up to $44.4 million to federal R&D laboratories. This funding aims to support the development of new or improved technologies that can significantly advance critical mineral value chains, with a particular emphasis on collaboration between federal laboratories, industry, and academia.
The objectives of this funding stream include:
- Making significant positive impacts on the critical minerals industry in Canada
- Propelling projects into the pilot and demonstration phase of development
Although the call for applications for this stream is currently closed, the funded projects are expected to be announced soon, marking another milestone in Canada’s critical minerals strategy.
Contribution Funding
The Contribution Funding stream is dedicated to advancing the commercial readiness of emerging processing technologies. Targeting midstream projects with technology readiness levels 6–8, this stream supports pilot plant and demonstration projects that validate the feasibility and viability of these innovations. By doing so, it bridges the gap between research and full-scale commercial production, ensuring the technologies developed are poised for market deployment.
Between 2022 and 2025, an allocation of $22.2 million was made for eight demonstration projects. These projects aim to validate the economic and technical feasibility of processing technologies crucial to the critical minerals sector. The most recent call for proposals announced an additional allocation of up to $40 million to support midstream projects that provide raw material inputs for various advanced manufacturing supply chains, including:
- Batteries and permanent magnets
- Advanced manufacturing
- Semiconductors
- Information and communication technologies
- Critical infrastructure value chains
This funding stream is also currently closed for applications, with the funded projects expected to be announced in the spring of 2024.
Funded Project Highlights
The CMRDD has already funded a diverse portfolio of pioneering projects across Canada. Here are some of the notable initiatives:
- Piloting of bioleaching processes for recovery of battery metals: This project, led by Mining Innovation Rehabilitation and Applied Research Corporation (MIRARCO), seeks to compare three competing bioleaching technologies to recover nickel, cobalt, and copper from pyrrhotite-rich tailings. Funded with $5,000,000, this project is crucial for advancing sustainable mining techniques.
- Black Mass Recycling Project: Undertaken by Electra Battery Materials Corporation, this project aims to demonstrate a hydrometallurgical process for recycling black mass material on a continuous production basis. Scheduled to start in 2024, this project is funded with $5,000,000.
- La Loutre Graphite Upgrading: Lomiko Metals Inc. is leading this project, which involves piloting the upgrading of 200 tonnes of La Loutre graphite to prove its suitability for battery anode material. This project, with $4,941,590 in funding, is expected to begin in 2024.
- Cobalt Sulphate Process Pilot: Fortune Minerals Limited is piloting a hydrometallurgical process to produce high-purity cobalt sulphate and bismuth ingots, with funding of $714,500. This project, launched in November 2023, is poised for completion by March 2025.
- RapidSX™ Commercialization Demonstration Plant: Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is demonstrating the commercial efficacy of the RapidSX™ rare earth elements separation technology with $4,275,848 in funding. The project launched in November 2023 and is expected to conclude by March 2025.
Each of these projects underscores the diverse applications and sectors that the CMRDD program influences, ranging from battery production and recycling to advanced materials and rare earth elements processing.
Importance of the CMRDD Program
The importance of the CMRDD program cannot be overstated. At a time when global demand for critical minerals is surging, the program provides essential support for Canada to develop a robust and competitive critical minerals industry. The advancements in processing technologies funded by the CMRDD are imperative for ensuring that Canada can secure its place in global supply chains for emerging technologies, including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.
Additionally, the program aligns with broader federal goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. By enabling the production of minerals critical to clean technology development, the CMRDD supports the transition to a low-carbon economy. The program also emphasizes sustainable and environmentally friendly mining practices, such as the use of bioleaching technologies and recycling, which are pivotal for minimizing the environmental footprint of mining activities.
Moreover, by fostering collaborations between federal research laboratories, industry, and academia, the CMRDD strengthens Canada's innovation ecosystem. This collaborative approach ensures that research initiatives are aligned with industry needs, maximizing the potential for successful commercialization of new technologies. It also helps to build a skilled workforce adept at addressing the challenges and opportunities within the critical minerals sector.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, the CMRDD program is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of the Canadian minerals industry. The anticipated announcements of new funded projects in spring 2024 will further expand the scope and impact of the program. These initiatives will continue to drive technological advancements and support the development of critical minerals supply chains that are vital for Canada’s economic and environmental sustainability.
In conclusion, the Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration Program represents a strategic and forward-thinking investment in Canada’s future. By advancing the development and commercialization of innovative processing technologies, the CMRDD ensures that Canada remains at the forefront of the global critical minerals industry, supporting sustainable economic growth and the transition to a low-carbon future.
