Collaborative Innovation and Circularity in Critical Minerals: Accelerating Sustainable Value Chain Transformation

Securing the supply of critical and strategic minerals (CSM) still relies heavily on access to new deposits. However, another dimension is becoming essential: better conserving resources that have already been extracted and reducing material and value loss throughout their lifespan.

This presentation will examine circularity as a concept that must be integrated from the start of the CSM value chain, not just at the recycling stage. Input and process optimization, reduction at the source, material recovery, reuse, recycling and the reintroduction of secondary materials are all opportunities to strengthen supply chain efficiency and resiliency.

However, the core challenge remains the shift from research to industrial application. Between the development of a promising technology and its full-scale rollout lie essential steps: validation, adaptation, demonstration and integration into operational realities. Applied research centres play a pivotal role here, building bridges between scientific research, industrial needs and real-world rollout conditions.

Ultimately, a circularity loop does not rely on technology alone. It also depends on the availability of materials, infrastructure and end markets and the ability of stakeholders to connect across a value chain.

Moving from mine to loop therefore requires innovating, transferring and connecting all at once.

Sustainable management of mining waste and industrial effluents requires a transition from conventional disposal toward resource recovery and circular economy solutions. This presentation includes three distinct case studies showcasing innovative hydrometallurgical, membrane-based, and chemical processes for the valorization of solid residues and complex effluents across Québec’s mining and energy materials sectors.

In Case Study 1, solid residues from battery manufacturing were processed to recover fine graphite and MCS, establishing viable secondary recovery pathways from energy storage waste. In Case Study 2, mining process water containing heavy metals—with a primary focus on copper—was treated through an integrated setup to achieve consistent effluent purification. In Case Study 3, acid mine drainage (AMD) was subjected to passive treatment approaches to evaluate low-energy, long-term remediation strategies.

Together, these case studies highlight the practical feasibility of integrated recovery and treatment chains, offering sustainable pathways to reduce environmental liabilities and advance resource circularity in industrial operations.

In a context shaped by the energy transition and the need to secure critical and strategic mineral (CSM) supply chains, integrating circular economy principles is becoming an essential lever for the sustainable and competitive development of the mining sector. Technology transfer centres and research organizations play a key role in this transformation by developing innovative and responsible solutions, while the active engagement of industry partners is essential to support their deployment at scale.

This panel will bring together experts from research, industry, and innovation-support organizations to discuss the main challenges, collaboration levers, and enabling conditions required to accelerate the transition from innovation to industrial deployment. The discussion will highlight the mechanisms that can support a more sustainable transformation of Québec’s CSM value chain.