Artificial intelligence (AI) and critical minerals are now two of the biggest and most essential parts of the modern economy.
Copper, cobalt, gallium, lithium, and nickel are just some of the minerals that make up the complex ecosystems that all smartphones, electric vehicles, and data centres rely upon. AI infrastructure, from fast microchips to mammoth data centres, needs countless volumes of these materials.
British Columbia is on the cusp of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because we are blessed with an unusual bounty of mineral deposits, a skilled workforce, and access to Asian markets. But we need to be able to deal with the problems that come with the scale of mineral exploration required and the long process of starting up new mining projects.
AI has rapidly carved out a place for itself in the economy, and this has only elevated the need for these minerals. Data centres, the heart of AI infrastructure, need plenty of copper for wiring, cobalt for strong connections, and lithium for backup power batteries. For example, Microsoft’s USD $500 million data centre in Chicago required 2,177 tonnes of copper.
The race to secure reliable, ethical, and resilient mineral supply chains has become even more intense because global demand for these minerals is expected to grow sixfold by 2040.
B.C. has everything you need, such as copper, nickel, gallium, germanium, and graphite, all of which are critical to the AI and digital tech industries. For example, Highland Valley and Copper Mountain are two of Canada’s biggest copper mines and a pair of reasons why Canada can become a titan in supplying critical minerals.
Making that happen, however, is currently an expensive and confusing process due to the regulatory framework that is holding back development. Premier David Eby’s recent moves have demonstrated that the B.C. government is willing to embrace the province’s mineral wealth to help grow the economy.
It is crucial that his government remains committed to speeding up the permitting process for new mines while adhering to provincial and federal regulations, and still prioritizing strong relationships with First Nations communities.
If successful, tens of billions of dollars in investment will be drawn in, and thousands of high-paying jobs will be generated. Nonetheless, the challenge remains: crafting a strategic vision for mineral projects that can become operational fast enough to meet the world’s rising demand.
Fortunately, AI is transforming mineral exploration for the better. Companies like VRIFY have constructed tailor-made AI platforms like DORA, an AI-assisted mineral discovery platform that can break down complex datasets for geologists with speed quickly and greater accuracy.
VRIFY is hardly alone. Pennsylvania’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has also been a leader in using AI to quickly assess geological potential, opening up new mineral sources across North America.
These innovations show AI is not a replacement but a driver of growth in the resource industry, making an unprecedented connection between AI and critical minerals. Because these technologies can be deployed quickly, mineral deposits that were once ignored or thought to be too expensive to develop can now be found and developed quickly. This means more mineral production in Canada and the U.S., and less dependence on geopolitical rivals like China.
But realizing this potential depends on getting over some big hurdles. To make sure developments benefit both the economy and the environment, industry leaders are calling for faster permitting, simpler environmental rules, and stronger relationships with Indigenous communities. The controversial Bill 15 in B.C., meant to speed up project approvals, shows how hard it is for policymakers to get broad support.
B.C. has the minerals, technology, and strategic location to be a leader in this AI-driven age, but only if the province acts quickly and decisively to make the most of these resources. B.C. can remain a player in the global economy by moving forward with important mineral projects responsibly and using AI to make exploration more efficient.
In this modern age, we must realize that the digital and resource economies are intimately connected, and nothing exemplifies this better than the relationship between critical minerals and AI.
