Critical Minerals Supply Chain Disputes Emerge in Canada and the UK

• •The UK focuses on import resilience while Canada aims for mining dominance.
• •Increased public funding and security scrutiny raise the risk of disputes.
• •The G7 summit emphasized the need for midstream processing to reduce dependency.

The UK and Canada are revising their critical minerals strategies to address supply chain vulnerabilities and national security concerns. The UK emphasizes import resilience while Canada aims to become a mining and processing leader. This shift has led to increased public funding and security scrutiny, creating potential for disputes over project timelines and regulatory compliance. Both nations face challenges such as permitting delays and community opposition, which can lead to contractual claims. The G7 summit in June 2026 highlighted the importance of midstream processing to reduce dependency on single suppliers, notably China, which dominates lithium refining. The ongoing geopolitical landscape underscores the urgency for allied nations to secure their critical mineral supply chains.