PDAC 2026: Hodgson says Canada’s mining sector is at a ‘hinge moment’ while announcing new critical minerals projects

Tim Hodgson, Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, speaking at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference at Toronto’s Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Photo by Peter J Thompson/National Post filesArticle contentThe mining sector is at a “hinge moment” for Canada since critical mineral supply chains are being weaponized, says federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle content“To put it simply, our critical minerals are crucial to our security, sovereignty and national defence,” he said at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada conference in Toronto on Monday. “It also means that, for Canada and our allies, overreliance on concentrated foreign supply chains creates vulnerability.”Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle contentCanada’s investment proposition has never been stronger, Hodgson said, and the country is one of the “few jurisdictions in the world” to offer a mix of world-class geology, deep, liquid public markets, stable regulatory institutions, strong environmental standards and Indigenous partnerships and political continuity.Article content“And Canada will never use our resources as coercive tools,” he said. “Instead, we see them as tools to build a stronger G7, a stronger (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and a more secure world for all our allies.”Article contentHodgson also announced the second round of partnerships and investments under the Critical Minerals Production Alliance, a Canada-led initiative that works with other G7 countries to develop secure critical minerals supply chains.Article contentThe federal government said 30 new partnerships and investments with 12 partners will unlock $12.1 billion in critical minerals projects.Article contentThe partnerships include a synthetic graphite project, a lithium-processing facility and a rare earth elements recycling centre in Ontario, a metal extraction and site restoration project in British Columbia and an open pit pure molybdenum project in Greenland.Article contentArticle content“These deals represent aligned equity participation, offtake agreements and coordinated policy measures that accelerate projects and de-risk cross-border investment,” Hodgson said.Article contentRead More PDAC 2026: Mining industry has golden opportunity to prove its value to world, says Vale CEO Gold to take centre stage at PDAC, with some predicting prices will hit $10,000 Article contentIn a separate announcement at PDAC on Monday, Hodgson and Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon said Natural Resources Canada will invest up to $40 million to create the Canadian Digital Core Library to digitize and share drill core samples from across the country. The project was first announced last year.Article content“Drill cores are how we look underground before we dig,” Hodgson said. “They reduce risk and guide investment. These drill cores are Canada’s underground archive, a physical record of what lies beneath our feet. In fact, some drill cores in Canada are over 100 years old and still useful.”Article content• Email: jswitzer@postmedia.comArticle contentTrending Garry Marr: Bad news, Gen Z — The Freedom 55 guy is still working in his 60s and you will be, too Retirement Shocks can force Bank of Canada to hike rates even when economy weak, says deputy Economy Subscriber only. Canadian software giants are getting clobbered by the AI scare trade. Should you buy or bolt? Subscriber only Innovation Saudi Arabia's biggest oil refinery halts after drone attack Oil & Gas Saudis pulled deeper into Middle East war after refinery attack Energy Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Garry Marr: Bad news, Gen Z — The Freedom 55 guy is still working in his 60s and you will be, too Retirement Shocks can force Bank of Canada to hike rates even when economy weak, says deputy Economy Subscriber only. Canadian software giants are getting clobbered by the AI scare trade. Should you buy or bolt? Subscriber only Innovation Saudi Arabia's biggest oil refinery halts after drone attack Oil & Gas Saudis pulled deeper into Middle East war after refinery attack Energy