Critical Mineral Opportunities in Alberta

Alberta is advancing a diversified portfolio of critical minerals, including lithium, uranium, vanadium, rare earth elements, helium, titanium, zirconium, and potash. These resources support the batteries, electrification technologies, energy systems, and industrial applications driving global demand for critical minerals.

Supported by opportunities across extraction, processing, refining, and advanced manufacturing, Alberta’s critical minerals sector is contributing to the materials and supply chains needed for energy security, industrial growth, and emerging technologies.

Alberta is home to one of the world’s most significant emerging lithium opportunities. The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) estimates the province contains 82.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in-place within lithium-rich brines, establishing Alberta as a strategic destination for battery materials development.

The opportunity goes beyond extraction. Alberta’s industrial infrastructure, competitive energy resources, skilled workforce, and existing critical minerals processing capabilities support the refining, processing, and production of battery-grade materials. As manufacturers seek secure and resilient sources of critical mineral inputs, Alberta provides a strong foundation for investment across the battery value chain.

Alberta is quickly becoming a leader in Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), an innovative technology that can help unlock critical minerals more efficiently while supporting the growing demand for batteries, electrification, and advanced manufacturing. Leveraging Alberta’s extensive subsurface expertise, existing energy infrastructure, and significant lithium-bearing brine resources, DLE offers a new pathway to produce battery-grade lithium from underground formations.

Compared to conventional lithium production methods, DLE has the potential to reduce land disturbance, shorten production timelines, and support continuous operations while utilizing Alberta’s strengths in reservoir management, drilling, water handling, and industrial processing. Combined with a strong research and innovation ecosystem, Alberta is helping advance technologies that can improve recovery rates, accelerate commercialization, and strengthen North American battery supply chains. With an estimated 82.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in-place, Alberta is home to one of North America’s largest emerging opportunities for DLE deployment.

Alberta is home to Canada’s only deregulated, energy-only electricity market, giving critical mineral developers the flexibility to secure long-term power supply through renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Virtual Power Purchase Agreements (VPPAs), and other market-based solutions.

Combined with abundant natural gas resources and options such as Build Your Own Generation (BYOG) and Behind-the-Fence (BTF) generation, Alberta offers reliable, cost-competitive energy solutions that support project development, operational certainty, and sustainability objectives.

For more than 100 years, the Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) has built one of world’s most comprehensive geological knowledge bases, drawing on decades of expertise in subsurface mapping, reservoir characterization, geoscience research, and resource development.

Through publicly accessible geological data, critical minerals assessments, brine sampling programs, and detailed subsurface analysis, AGS helps companies better understand resource potential, reduce exploration risk, and accelerate project evaluation and development.