Technology Developments and the Metals Industry in a Low Carbon Economy

Abstract.

The energy transition now underway to renewables recognizes that global carbon emissions need to be reduced. A more sustainable economy largely based on renewable energy will take decades to achieve and will require mining and metallurgical operations to provide the base for new energy sources. The metals industry will therefore play a crucial role in this transition to a low-carbon world economy. Historically, Canada with its relatively small population and important mineral resources and land area has played a major role in the technology and development of mineral exports of metals such as nickel and copper. Today, Canada can capitalize on the growing demand throughout the world for the critical minerals and metals required and our country has the technology and resources for a range of these metals for the renewable energy age. Technology developments for metal production processes having a lower CO₂ footprint are also required.