Who Really Benefits from “Critical Minerals” in B.C.?

27/01/26

Author:

BC Mining Law Reform

Link:

Jan. 26, 2026

New resource helps communities navigate mining pressures and debunk industry myths

Governments worldwide are racing to secure “critical minerals” like lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements — not just for clean energy, but also for military, industrial, and economic purposes. Recent headlines illustrate the stakes: the U.S. Department of War has invested in a B.C. mining company, and disputes involving Greenland’s “critical minerals" have sparked diplomatic tensions between Europe and the U.S., showing that mineral politics extend far beyond climate goals.

In Canada, the federal Critical Minerals Strategy and Building Canada Act (Bill C-5), and provincial initiatives in B.C., aim to expand mining and fast-track approvals. Energy transition minerals will play a key role as the province moves toward a low-carbon future, but mining them carries significant social, environmental, and cultural risks — particularly for Indigenous Nations and rural communities.

So far, the focus has been on extracting more minerals rather than exploring alternatives, reducing demand, or developing a holistic strategy for a clean energy transition that doesn’t worsen mining impacts. Simplified or misleading narratives, often promoted by government and industry, obscure these risks and hide the real gaps in tracing where mined materials ultimately end up.

Much of the current conversation around “critical minerals” is high-level, convoluted, and political. To secure a sustainable future for B.C.’s “critical minerals”, it’s essential that Indigenous Nations, local communities, and environmental, health, and justice groups be central to decision-making.

New Resource: Evidence-Based Answers on “Critical Minerals”

We’re excited to share a new resource with BC Mining Law Reform network members: Debunking Myths: “Critical Minerals” and the Energy Transition. The detailed, evidence-based guide examines common myths and claims about “critical minerals”. Designed for environmental, community, and justice groups — as well as other stakeholders in B.C. — it provides tools to understand and respond to pressures from “critical mineral” development.

The resource helps challenge the prevailing narrative that rapid mining expansion is necessary for a clean energy transition, while highlighting solutions that reduce the need for new mines and prioritize community and ecosystem well-being.

Download the Resource

What This Resource Does

The guide debunks misleading narratives such as “mining in B.C. is green” or “everyone benefits,” supports communities and First Nations facing new mining pressures, provides evidence-based responses to common government and industry claims, highlights environmental, social, and rights impacts, and frames responsible, rights-based transition strategies that prioritize consent and sustainability.

It’s designed to be a practical, easy-to-use reference so groups can respond quickly in consultations, media, or public processes, or even use it to raise awareness in friendly conversations.

Whose It For

Environmental and climate organizations
Indigenous governments and community groups
Local governments and rural advocates
Researchers, planners, and communicators
Anyone facing “critical mineral” pressures in B.C.

Why We Created It

Mining proposals labeled as “clean” or “essential” are growing rapidly, often framed through oversimplified and politicized narratives. This is increasing pressure on Indigenous rights, contributing to cumulative environmental impacts, and unfolding amid limited public understanding of military and geopolitical drivers.

This resource comes at a critical moment: government commitment to Indigenous rights is under scrutiny, and B.C. businesses have largely fallen silent on relations with First Nations after recent court rulings. It underscores that policies like “critical minerals” must be rooted in respect for rights and meaningful engagement.

This resource helps cut through the noise and grounds community advocacy in evidence, while prioritizing Indigenous consent and local decision-making.

Guiding Principles for a Responsible Transition Mineral Narrative:

- Reduce demand
- Recover resources through recycling and re-mining
- Rethink extraction — only when necessary
- Respect Indigenous governance — consent is non-negotiable
- Reject greenwashing — accuracy over speed

Looking Ahead:

We’re also developing a shorter resource designed to support communities facing extraction projects to engage in decision-making. Blogs, explainers, and social content are coming soon, along with ongoing analysis of emerging policies and tools to support frontline responses and advocacy.

Got questions or want to connect? Email us at info@reformbcmining.ca. Together, we can build responsible, rights-respecting approaches to “transition minerals” in B.C.

In solidarity,
Zoryana
Communications Coordinator, BC Mining Law Reform

P.S. For deeper context, check out this National Observer op-ed by our co-chair Nikki Skuce and Tara Scurr from Amnesty International Canada. It examines how “critical minerals” policy in B.C. is colliding with Indigenous rights — and why consent, not speed or geopolitical pressure, must guide decision-making. We encourage you to read, share, and use it in your conversations.