Maximizing the Supply of Critical Minerals & Metals through Circular Economy Strategies

Critical and strategic minerals (CSMs) like copper, nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements are essential for advanced electronics, medical devices, and renewable energy technologies. With global demand expected to surge, sustainable sourcing and responsible resource management are increasingly urgent. Challenges include limited mining sources, environmental impacts, and geopolitical control over supply.

Circular economy strategies—such as waste reduction, product redesign, and recycling—can help ease supply pressures. Canada, which produces 21 of its 31 critical minerals, has an opportunity to strengthen domestic supply chains, but regional approaches are key to cost-effective implementation.

Shifting North American policies, trade barriers, and tariffs will impact cross-border partnerships, creating both challenges and opportunities. This session will bring together industry and policymakers to explore how circular economy strategies can secure a sustainable CSM supply for Canada, considering regional and geopolitical factors. Discussions will address global competition, innovative sourcing strategies, and circular supply chain design.

Topics to be covered include:

1. Designing for Circularity: One of the most effective ways to maximize the supply of critical minerals and metals is through the design of products that are easier to repair, upgrade, and recycle.
2. Recycling and Reuse of Critical Minerals and Metals: These approaches can not only reduce reliance on primary mining but also help lower costs and improve efficiency in recovering valuable materials from end-of-life products.
3. The Role of Innovation and Technology: Technological innovation is pivotal in realizing circularity in mineral and metal supply chains.
4. Business Models and Policy Frameworks for Circular Supply Chains: In light of evolving geopolitical dynamics in North America, how might business models and circular supply chains be enabled or impacted by evolving trade and policy frameworks.

Session Co-Hosts: This session is being organized and co-hosted by Circular Economy Leadership Canada (CELC), Materials Efficiency Research Group (MERG), the Smart Prosperity Institute (SPI), the Energy Futures Lab, Pyxera Global, and CSA Group.

Who should attend? Key stakeholders from across the electronic, ICT, and energy technology value chains in Canada, including solution providers, recyclers, governments, researchers and innovators, financial actors, producer responsibility organizations, industry associations, economic development agencies, Indigenous communities and businesses, and others.