News item | 04-03-2025 | 22:59
The Netherlands and Québec will work more closely in the field of critical raw materials. Minister Klever (Foreign Trade and Development Aid) and Minister of Blanchette-Vézina of Québec (Natural Resources and Forests) signed an intention agreement on this in Toronto, Canada on Tuesday. The agreements must, among other things, contribute to better access to critical raw materials for the Netherlands. They will also help Dutch companies that are active in this sector to do business in Québec.
Minister Reinette Klever: “We are joining forces with Québec. For the Netherlands it is important to spread the supply of critical raw materials. Québec is rich in these raw materials. The Netherlands in turn has a favorable location and large ports that offer access to the rest of Northwest Europe. Dutch entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions also have unique knowledge that can be used in the extraction and processing of critical raw materials. All in all, there are many opportunities for cooperation that both the Netherlands and Québec can benefit from. ”
Working groups
To turn the agreements into action, the Netherlands and Québec set up working groups. Governments and knowledge institutions work together to perform the agreement, in close consultation with the business community. For example, research cooperation and encouraging investments will be used.
Critical raw materials in Québec
Québec is an important player in the field of critical raw materials: the province is rich in titanium, niobium, lithium, graphite, nickel, copper and cobalt. Sixty percent of mining companies in the world are located in Canada. In Canada, mining falls under the competence of provincial authorities.
Fair about critical raw materials
Minister Klever is in Canada for the PDAC-Mijnbouwbeurs from 3 to 5 March, one of the world’s largest mining fairs that takes place annually. Many critical raw materials are in the hands of just a few players; The Netherlands and Europe therefore depend on only a limited number of countries. These scarce natural metals and minerals are important for the economy and society. These raw materials include MRI scanners, iPhones, fighter jets and solar panels.