Teck Resources has signed a strategic investment agreement with Natural Resources Canada and the Canada Growth Fund (CGF) to expand production of germanium, gallium, and antimony at its Trail Operations in British Columbia.
The proposed investment aims to strengthen Canada’s critical minerals supply chain, support advanced manufacturing, and improve access to materials used in defence, electronics, and clean energy technologies.
Topic Snapshot
- Teck Resources could receive up to $400 million from the Canada Growth Fund.
- The total investment in the project could reach $850 million.
- The project will expand production of germanium, gallium, and antimony.
- Trail Operations is one of the world’s largest integrated polymetallic smelting and refining complexes.
- The Canadian government will receive offtake rights for part of future production.
- The project has been named one of British Columbia’s priority resource developments.
Investment Targets Critical Mineral Expansion
The agreement creates the commercial framework for an equity-like investment of up to $400 million by the Canada Growth Fund.
If completed, the investment will help Teck expand critical mineral processing capacity at its Trail Operations.
Combined with Teck’s planned spending, the total investment could reach $850 million.
The project is intended to strengthen Canada’s ability to process strategic minerals from a range of feed sources.
Trail Operations Plays a Key Role
Located in British Columbia, Trail Operations is one of the world’s largest fully integrated polymetallic smelting and refining complexes.
The facility currently produces 19 different products, making it an important part of Canada’s mining and metals industry.
The planned expansion will further increase its role in supplying materials needed for advanced technologies.
Production Capacity Could Increase Significantly
According to Teck, the proposed investment could:
- Double germanium production capacity
- Double antimony production capacity
- Introduce new gallium production
Expanding production would strengthen domestic supplies of several minerals that are considered strategically important by governments around the world.
Why These Critical Minerals Matter?
The three minerals targeted by the project serve a wide range of industries.
Germanium is used in:
- Fibre-optic communication systems
- Infrared optics
- Semiconductor manufacturing
Antimony is used in:
- Flame retardants
- Battery technologies
- Metal alloys
Gallium plays an important role in:
- High-performance semiconductors
- Telecommunications equipment
- Radar systems
- Advanced electronics
Growing demand for these materials has increased interest in developing reliable supplies outside traditional markets.
Government Secures Future Supply
The agreement also includes an offtake arrangement with the Government of Canada.
Under this structure, the government will have rights to purchase a portion of future production of:
- Germanium
- Gallium
- Antimony
The arrangement is designed to improve long-term supply security for strategically important materials.
Project Receives Provincial Support
The Government of British Columbia has identified the Trail expansion as one of 18 priority resource projects.
Provincial authorities are working with Teck to identify opportunities that could help accelerate development.
The project aligns with broader efforts to expand Canada’s critical minerals industry and strengthen domestic processing capacity.
Canada Continues to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chains
Canada has made critical minerals a national priority as countries seek more secure and diversified supply chains.
The planned investment supports several national objectives, including:
- Increasing domestic mineral processing.
- Supporting advanced manufacturing.
- Strengthening supply chain resilience.
- Improving access to strategic materials.
Role of the Canada Growth Fund
The Canada Growth Fund manages $15 billion in investment capital.
Its purpose is to attract private investment into projects that support:
- Clean energy
- Low-carbon technologies
- Industrial innovation
- Critical mineral supply chains
The fund uses investment structures that help reduce project risk while encouraging private-sector participation.
Closing
The proposed Teck critical minerals investment marks another significant step in Canada’s strategy to strengthen domestic processing of germanium, gallium, and antimony. If completed, the expansion at Trail Operations will increase production capacity, improve supply security, and support industries ranging from advanced electronics to national defence while reinforcing Canada’s position in the global critical minerals market.
