Critical minerals production in Canada 2021, by commodity

In 2021, potash had the largest production quantity of any critical mineral in Canada, at over 13 million metric tons. That year, aluminum was the second-largest produced critical mineral in Canada, at a distant 3.1 million metric tons. Critical minerals are essential for the transition to a lower carbon energy system. Consequently, critical minerals have become essential to the growth and technological development of Canada.

Key facts about Canada's critical minerals industry

The Canadian government launched the critical mineral strategy for Canada and designated 31 minerals as Canadian critical minerals on December 1st, 2022. Canada currently produces 21 out of the 31 designated critical minerals domestically. The production volume of critical minerals in Canada amounted to about 17.92 million metric tons in 2021. Canada was ranked as one of the world's top producers of the following critical minerals: potash, palladium, uranium, aluminum, platinum, titanium concentrate, cobalt, and tellurium. Canada exports critical minerals to a number of different countries around the world, with the largest volume exported to the United States. The value of Canadian critical mineral exports has risen recently, and in 2022 was valued at 62.6 billion Canadian dollars.

Potash, the most produced critical mineral in Canada

Canada is the world’s leading potash producer, having accounted for approximately 31 percent of global potash production as of 2021. Potash refers to a group of mineral salts and chemicals containing potassium, and its main application is for use as a fertilizer for agriculture. Canada possessed the largest share of potash reserves in the world at over 33 percent in 2022.