ESTEVAN - The Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Techhub has announced it will be hosting the inaugural Critical Resources, Innovation and Technology (CRIT) Critical Minerals Conference in Estevan on April 23.
The event will bring together industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs and policymakers to discuss the future of critical minerals and their role in driving sustainable economic growth and innovation.
A press release for the event says CRIT aims to position southeast Saskatchewan as a hub for critical mineral exploration, development, processing, manufacturing and technological advancement.
The conference will focus on emerging trends in the sector, the role of critical minerals in the global supply chain, and the innovative technologies shaping the industry.
“With Canada facing a tariff war with the U.S., critical minerals provide us with a path to diversify what we trade and who we trade with,” said Â鶹´«Ã½AVeast Techhub executive director Gordon More. “We believe Saskatchewan has a unique opportunity to lead in the critical minerals sector, and CRIT will provide a platform to showcase the incredible work happening in our province.
"With the increasing demand for critical minerals in energy, battery technology and other high-tech industries, this conference will spark discussions on how we can drive investment, research and collaboration.”
The conference will feature a lineup of presentations from leading experts, including:
•Dr. Roger Wagner – Presenting ground-breaking work on turning Estevan’s coal into one of only two graphite-producing mines in North America, a major step toward securing a domestic supply of this critical mineral.
•Zach Maurer (Arizona Lithium) – Demonstrating how Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) is now being used to produce lithium in southeast Saskatchewan, positioning the region as a key player in the battery materials market.
•Dr. Muhammad Imran (Saskatchewan Research Council) – Discussing their rare Earth processing facility and its significance in strengthening Canada’s rare earth supply chain.
•Dr. Brendan Bishop – Presenting cutting-edge research on extracting critical minerals from flyash, a waste by-product with untapped economic potential.
This conference will serve as a catalyst for industry partnerships, government collaboration and technological advancements, helping shape the future of critical minerals in Canada and beyond.
Visit https://icedconference.ca for more information.
