Canadian government adds aluminium to Quebec’s list of critical and strategic minerals

The Aluminium Association of Canada (AAC), representing the three Canadian world-class aluminium producers – Alcoa, Alouette, and Rio Tinto - has wholeheartedly accepted the government’s decision to add aluminium to Quebec’s list of critical and strategic minerals.

According to AAC, the government’s decision has come at an ideal moment in industrial development as Quebec, which accounts for 75 per cent of North America’s primary aluminium production, will play a critical role in decarbonising the North American economy through its contribution to electrification.

Quebec’s low-carbon aluminium will be a significant part of this phenomenon for being an absolute essential in electrification products. From solar panels for producing renewable energy to electric vehicle batteries with lower carbon footprint, aluminium is required from start to finish.

The United States and, more recently, Europe added aluminium to their lists of critical minerals. Canada produces more than 80 per cent of North America’s primary aluminium and nearly 45 per cent of the metal in Europe and the United States combined. Canada is also the largest source of low-carbon aluminium.

Alcoa, Alouette, and Rio Tinto operate nine smelters in Canada, eight of which are in Quebec, employing over 9,000 workers.