Quebec supports six critical minerals projects with $7.8 million in funding

The province of Quebec is investing nearly $7.8 million to support six projects focused on critical and strategic minerals, thus advancing research to strengthen energy independence.

Partagez:

The Government of Quebec has announced a funding of $7.8 million to support six projects from the Scientific Research Network focused on Critical and Strategic Minerals (Réseau MIN), aimed at improving the extraction and management of essential resources for the energy transition. These projects, led by businesses and research institutions, are expected to contribute to innovation in the value chain of minerals needed for clean technology production.

Projects for the Energy Transition

The six projects supported by this funding concern strategic minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite, which are used in the production of batteries and other components for the energy transition. Quebec, rich in natural resources, aims to strengthen its position in this key, rapidly growing sector. The projects will focus on innovations ranging from improving extraction techniques to reducing the environmental impacts associated with these activities.

Funding for Research and Innovation

The government’s funding is aimed at research and the development of new technologies, as well as fostering collaboration between the mining industry and researchers. The MIN Network, as a scientific research organization, facilitates the exchange of knowledge between businesses and universities to better harness natural resources while minimizing environmental impacts.

Strengthening Energy Independence

This support is also seen as an important step toward strengthening Quebec’s energy independence. By developing local solutions for the extraction and management of minerals critical to the energy transition, the province aims to reduce its reliance on imports while creating jobs and boosting economic growth. The government emphasizes that these projects are part of a broader energy strategy designed to ensure resource sustainability while adhering to environmental standards.

Quebec’s Vision for Future Energy

The funded projects are part of a larger energy policy framework that focuses on diversifying sources of supply for critical minerals. Quebec positions itself as a strategic player in the global ecosystem of raw materials necessary for manufacturing clean technologies, such as electric vehicles, and in building energy networks based on renewable energy.

In April 2025, fossil fuels represented 49.5% of South Korea's electricity mix, dropping below the symbolic threshold of 50% for the first time, primarily due to a historic decline in coal-generated electricity production.
The US Senate Finance Committee modifies the '45Z' tax credit to standardize the tax treatment of renewable fuels, thereby encouraging advanced biofuel production starting October 2025.
The UK's Climate Change Committee is urging the government to quickly reduce electricity costs to facilitate the adoption of heat pumps and electric vehicles, judged too slow to achieve the set climate targets.
The European Commission will extend until the end of 2030 an expanded state-aid framework, allowing capitals to fund low-carbon technologies and nuclear power to preserve competitiveness against China and the United States.
Japan's grid operator forecasts an energy shortfall of up to 89 GW by 2050 due to rising demand from semiconductor manufacturing, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence technologies.
Energy-intensive European industries will be eligible for temporary state aid to mitigate high electricity prices, according to a new regulatory framework proposed by the European Commission under the "Clean Industrial Deal."
Mauritius seeks international investors to swiftly build a floating power plant of around 100 MW, aiming to secure the national energy supply by January 2026 and address current production shortfalls.
Madrid announces immediate energy storage measures while Lisbon secures its electrical grid, responding to the historic outage that affected the entire Iberian Peninsula in late April.
Indonesia has unveiled its new national energy plan, projecting an increase of 69.5 GW in electricity capacity over ten years, largely funded by independent producers, to address rapidly rising domestic demand.
French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher condemns the parliamentary moratorium on new renewable energy installations, warning of the potential loss of 150,000 industrial jobs and increased energy dependence on foreign countries.
The European battery regulation, fully effective from August 18, significantly alters industrial requirements related to electric cars and bicycles, imposing strict rules on recycling, supply chains, and transparency for companies.
The European Parliament calls on the Commission to strengthen energy infrastructure and accelerate the implementation of the Clean Industrial Deal to enhance the continent's energy flexibility and security amid increased market volatility.
The European Commission unveils an ambitious plan to modernize electricity grids and introduces the Clean Industrial Deal, mobilizing hundreds of billions of euros to strengthen the continent's industrial and energy autonomy.
In the United States, regulated electric grid operators hold a decisive advantage in connecting new data centres to the grid, now representing 134 GW of projects, according to a Wood Mackenzie report published on June 19.
The French National Assembly approves a specific target of 200 TWh renewable electricity production by 2030 within a legislative text extensively debated about the future national energy mix.
In 2024, US CO₂ emissions remain stable at 5.1bn tonnes, as the Trump administration prepares hydrocarbon-friendly energy policies, raising questions about the future evolution of the American market.
The early publication of France's energy decree triggers strong parliamentary reactions, as the government aims to rapidly secure investments in nuclear and other energy sectors.
Seven weeks after the major Iberian power outage, Spain identifies technical network failures, while the European Investment Bank approves major funding to strengthen the interconnection with France.
The European Union has announced a detailed schedule aiming to definitively halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, anticipating internal legal and commercial challenges to overcome.
Madagascar plans the imminent opening of a 105 MW thermal power plant to swiftly stabilise its electricity grid, severely affected in major urban areas, while simultaneously developing renewable energy projects.