Critical minerals are key enablers of clean technologies like batteries and clean energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels. These technologies are essential to achieving a net-zero-emissions future.
The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, has launched the call for proposals (CFP) of the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF). The CMIF will look to address key infrastructure gaps to enable sustainable critical minerals production in Canada and to connect resources to markets. With up to $1.5 billion available over seven years, the fund will support clean energy and electrification initiatives as well as transportation and infrastructure projects.
This CFP will be the first of several, with up to $300 million in contribution funding available under two streams: the pre-construction and project development stream and the infrastructure deployment stream. Through these streams, applicants can seek access to up to $50 million per project for nongovernmental applicants and up to $100 million per project for provincial and territorial governments investing in public projects.
The CMIF is a component of Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy and will complement other clean energy and transportation support that is already benefiting the critical minerals sector. By investing in the infrastructure needed to develop critical minerals projects, the Government of Canada is working to help realize economic opportunities all along the value chain.
