Evidence of meeting #6 for Natural Resources in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chairman.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Has there been a study of other tailings done by companies who are looking at rare earths? Or are mining operations who aren't in the business of rare earths looking at possibly refining from their tailings? I don't think I really got an answer to that part of the question.
Director General, Industry and Economic Analysis Branch, Department of Natural Resources
Mr. Chairman, I'm not aware of any studies, but perhaps my colleague would like to comment.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
On the other side, then, are there other valuable resources that are likely to be extracted along with the rare earth elements, as a byproduct, which may help to make the mines more profitable—or make them profitable at all, I guess?
Director General, CanmetMining, Department of Natural Resources
Mr. Chairman, the only elements associated with the rare earth elements could be the radioactive elements, like thorium and uranium. If that could be of any value to extract and stabilize, that could be an added value, as would tantalum too.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
Okay.
Now in terms of Canada's position again—there have been some questions asked regarding this—I didn't get a clear picture of it.
Canada imports a lot of rare earths right now. Of the projects that Canada is looking at developing, I think you indicated that most of the rare earths are heavy rare earths. But if these mining operations that have been proposed go ahead, will Canada still be required to import rare earths from elsewhere around the world?
What is the probability of being able to get enough of all the rare earths that Canada might need from production within Canada?
Director General, Industry and Economic Analysis Branch, Department of Natural Resources
Mr. Chairman, if Canada needs certain rare earths that are not produced in Canada, there will be a need to import those.
I would say that the majority of rare earth elements produced in Canada would be partially used for Canadian industries but would also be exported to countries that are manufacturing goods that are coming back to the country.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
It was the other side of it that I was looking at. My time is up, though.
I understand, Monsieur Gravelle, that you have one question, and then we'll go to the other business of the committee.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
I have one or two brief questions because of what you asked.
One brief question is, are any environmental assessments for rare earth elements different from other mines?
Director General, Industry and Economic Analysis Branch, Department of Natural Resources
Environmental assessments are basically the same process for any mine, and the onus is on the proponent to do their studies and propose environmental mitigation measures that are appropriate for the types of mines they are looking to exploit.
NDP
Claude Gravelle NDP Nickel Belt, ON
The reason why I asked that question is because you spoke a lot about uranium, and uranium mining comes under federal jurisdiction. So would rare earth, because of the uranium, come under federal jurisdiction?
November 25th, 2013 / 5:15 p.m.
Director General, Industry and Economic Analysis Branch, Department of Natural Resources
There are additional regulations that would need to be met when there is radioactivity.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Leon Benoit
I want to thank both of you very much for coming today. It's very much appreciated. It's a good start. I think it's indicated how little really is known—not just that we know but is known—about this. There's a lot to be learned. I look forward to future meetings.
We have to suspend the meeting very briefly. I would encourage all members if they're going to chat with the witnesses to do it very briefly and get back to the table in two minutes. Then we will deal with the rest of the business before committee.
[Proceedings continue in camera]