Mineral Processing
Rich in
skills and resources
Canada’s mineral processing and refining sector includes 35 non-ferrous smelters, refineries and steel mills. Processing transforms raw materials into high-value outputs – from cobalt, copper, gold, nickel, silver and zinc to advanced alloys like aluminum, ferroalloys and steel.
Canada stands out for its depth of expertise and large talent pool, with 430,000 highly skilled workers across the mining and minerals sector. A network of over 30 specialized labs and research institutions drives innovation in low-carbon and emissions-free processing technologies.
What’s more, Canadian leadership in disruptive technologies – including automation and data analytics – is reshaping how minerals are refined, creating added value for investors.
Your investment will benefit from a strong regulatory framework and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities, which foster stability and shared prosperity.
Discover Canada’s mineral processing advantage.
Canadian mineral processing capabilities
Base metals
Aluminum
Cobalt
Copper
Iron ore
Lead
Nickel
Zinc
Precious metals
Gold
Iridium
Palladium
Platinum
Rhodium
Ruthenium
Silver
Ferroalloys
Molybdenum
Niobium
Silicon
Vanadium
Battery materials
Cobalt
Graphite
Lithium
Nickel
Processing infrastructure for a sustainable future
With a country-wide network of smelters and refineries, your investment project gets reliable access to advanced processing capacities. Canada has the infrastructure needed to process the minerals and metals powering clean energy and digital technologies:
Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical technologies to extract and purify metals like copper, iron ore and nickel.
Strategic recycling operations to recover critical materials such as cobalt, lead and zinc. A strong copper recycling industry complements primary production, making the supply chain more resilient.
Advanced processing of rare earth elements, lithium and graphite needed to transition to a low-carbon future.
Sustainability is at the core of Canadas’ mineral processing infrastructure. Canadian aluminum and steel production ranks among the lowest in carbon intensity globally, offering a competitive advantage for ESG-conscious investors.
Canada investment highlight
Rio Tinto is leading the charge to carbon-free aluminum smelting
Mining giant Rio Tinto is pioneering the use of emissions-free aluminum smelting using anode technology. The company is installing carbon-free aluminum smelting cells at its Arvida operations in Québec.
The pilot demonstration plant will use the breakthrough ELYSIS technology, developed jointly with Alcoa and Apple. The plant will be able to produce up to 2,500 tonnes of commercial grade aluminum per year with no direct greenhouse gas emissions. First production is planned by 2027.
“Becoming the first to deploy the ELYSIS™ carbon-free smelting technology is the next step in our strategy to decarbonize and grow our Canadian aluminium operations. In addition to delivering even lower-carbon primary aluminium for our customers, this investment will allow Rio Tinto to build its expertise on installing and operating this new technology, while the ELYSIS joint venture continues its research and development work to scale it up to its full potential.”
An attractive investment environment
Canada offers strong government-industry collaboration to advance mineral processing. It’s a testing ground for sustainable technologies like automation, mining from waste and ore sorting.
You’ll find networks and programs to support your investment, including:
Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator Network (MICA): Invests in solutions to increase mine production capacity at lower costs, reduce mining energy consumption and reduce environmental risks.
CanmetMINING: Conducts leading-edge research to make the industry more sustainable with efficient mining technologies and reduced environmental impacts.
Strategic Response Fund (SRF): Supports large-scale projects through funding for innovation, technology development and capital investments that modernize operations and expand industrial capacity.
Why choose Canada
Innovations in low-carbon and emissions-free processing
Access to clean, renewable energy to power projects
Leadership in disruptive technologies such as automation and data analytics
Connections to North American manufacturing hubs via rail, roads and ports
Explore Canada's mining sector
Let’s work together
At Invest in Canada, we are dedicated to your company’s success. Our team is your trusted guide to investing in Canada. We get to know your business, offer insights and information and connect you with the right people and places to support your decision.