While Saskatchewan’s coal is used for power generation, not steelmaking, Alberta and BC’s coal is used for that purpose. This is “Big Lou,” south of Estevan on Feb. 13. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
EDMONTON – The Coal Association of Canada said on March 3 newly announced coal export agreements with India highlight the strategic importance of metallurgical (steelmaking) coal and reinforce the need for Ottawa to formally recognize it as a critical mineral essential to industrial and economic security.
India is rapidly expanding steel production and is seeking secure, long-term supplies of high-quality coking coal from reliable partners, with Canadian reserves already attracting significant interest from Indian steel and mining enterprises. The Association says Canada should seize this opportunity by aligning federal policy with key trading partners that have already classified metallurgical coal as critical to their economic and industrial security.
“Steelmaking coal is essential to building bridges, transit systems, wind turbines, medical supplies and the infrastructure that underpins everyday life,” says Robin Campbell, president of the Coal Association of Canada. “If countries like India are turning to Canada for this resource, it is because they recognize the value of Canadian coal – and our own government should do the same by treating metallurgical coal as the strategic asset it is.”
The Association argues that extracting steelmaking coal in Canada, under some of the world’s strongest environmental, labour and safety standards, is preferable to shifting production to jurisdictions with weaker protections and less transparency. A critical mineral designation, it says, would help attract investment, streamline permitting and reinforce Canada’s role as a stable, responsible supplier to countries seeking to de‑risk their steel and infrastructure supply chains.
“With global demand for steel expected to remain strong for decades, Canada has a choice: we can be a leader in responsibly supplying the metallurgical coal the world needs, or we can watch those jobs and opportunities move elsewhere,” Campbell says. “Recognizing metallurgical coal as a critical mineral is a practical step the federal government can take today to support Canadian workers, strengthen our trade relationships and ensure this essential resource is developed here at home.”
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