THIS IS MINING: THE PODCAST AmberMac Media

Energy security. Environmental protection. Climate action. These ambitious goals set by the Government of Canada are often viewed as at odds with each other. But are they really? Or do they collectively represent a generational economic opportunity for Canadians? Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, Anita Balakrishnan from The Logic and Bentley Allan from the Transition Accelerator join us to talk about opportunities and challenges facing Canada’s ambitions.

With significant incentives from both levels of government and as major auto manufacturers make significant long-term investments, a localized EV supply chain is on the horizon. When will critical minerals from the North be ready to feed the new battery supply chain? What does the future of mining for critical minerals look like here in Ontario?  Amber Mac talks to Trevor Walker, President and CEO of Frontier Lithium and Mark Selby, President and CEO of Canada Nickel to find out.

Canada has the critical minerals the world needs for electrification and a green energy future, but accessing them is not without roadblocks. Two major challenges are investment and permitting, both intertwined when it comes to the rights and interests of Indigenous peoples in major Northern development projects. JP Gladu, prominent Indigenous business leader, joins Amber Mac to discuss the power of resource development partnerships as a route to prosperity and reconciliation in action.

Renewable energy is dependent on critical minerals, but where they come from and how ethical and responsible that production is present two very pressing questions. Join Amber as she tackles the topics of responsible sourcing, ESG and supply chain challenges with Trent Mell, an entrepreneur in the battery metals and clean energy space and Charlotte Selvey Miller, Head of ESG at Benchmark Minerals, a market intelligence firm for the lithium-ion battery to electric vehicle supply chain.

The growth and demand for critical minerals is impressive and daunting, according to our first guest, Duncan Wood, the Vice President for Strategy & New Initiatives at the Wilson Center, a Washington DC based think tank. We can’t have an energy transition without extractive resources, Wood says, and the race is on to secure them.

It's a critical time for our world and the generational challenges we face. Our future requires an increasing demand for resources - minerals and metals critical to energy security, technological transformation and the accelerating race to halt climate change. Season Three explores why the moment is now for critical minerals.