‘Our minerals could be used to annex us’: why Canada doesn’t want US mining
The Guardian••world
Key Points:
- Lomiko Metals plans to build an open-air graphite mine in La Petite-Nation, Quebec, producing 100,000 tonnes of graphite annually for 15 years, sparking environmental concerns among local residents.
- The project has faced strong opposition due to fears of pollution and threats to the region's eco-tourism, with 95% of nearby community members opposing the mine in a 2025 referendum.
- The US Pentagon invested $8.3 million in the mine through the Defense Production Act to reduce dependence on China for critical minerals used in military and battery technologies, intensifying local resistance.
- Despite provincial government refusal to fund the project due to lack of social acceptance, the federal government continues support, and Lomiko Metals has begun processing site
