Canada’s mine tailings contain untapped critical minerals essential for the green economy, digital technologies, and national defense. As global demand for these minerals rises, re-mining tailings presents an opportunity to enhance domestic supply, reduce environmental risks, and drive economic growth. However, barriers such as regulatory challenges, financial risks, technological gaps, and limited collaboration hinder progress.
Re-mining can also help remediate Orphaned and Abandoned Mine (OAM) sites, reduce environmental damage, and generate economic benefits, particularly for Indigenous communities, through the recovery of valuable minerals. Addressing these challenges can unlock the full potential of Canada’s mine tailings for strategic mineral recovery.
The recommendations are:
Advancing a National Tailings Inventory: Build on efforts to create a centralized, publicly accessible database for tailings waste. Actions include enhancing data collection, standardizing methodologies, and integrating Indigenous knowledge.
Implementing Regulatory Reforms and a Re-Mining Policy Framework: Create a purpose built regulatory framework for re-mining, streamline permitting, and introduce regulatory sandboxes for innovation. This includes harmonizing critical mineral definitions, developing taxation incentives, and ensuring Indigenous engagement.
Incentivizing Innovation and Collaboration: Provide incentives for re-mining technologies, sustainable practices, and foster collaboration. Support R&D, pilot projects, and global best practices for tailings characterization.
