Canada's Critical Minerals Research
Mostafa Fayek discusses the significance of critical minerals (CMs) in modern technology and national security.
When you pick up your smartphone or plug in your laptop, you’re holding the product of geology in your hands. Behind the screens and batteries are a group of little-known but incredibly important resources called critical minerals or metals (CMs).
What Makes a Mineral 'Critical'?
A critical mineral is one that is essential to a country’s economy, national security, or energy transition – but one whose supply is at risk (National Research Council, 2008).
The minerals considered ‘critical’ change over time, depending on technology and demand. For example,
salt was once considered a critical mineral due to its importance in food preservation, and aluminium was once regarded as a rare and precious metal.Today, most critical minerals are linked to high-tech industries.
Author's summary: Canada researches critical minerals for economy.