Request for Information on a “Mined in Canada” digital credential

Purpose

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is seeking input from stakeholders on the feasibility and design of a potential “Mined in Canada” digital credential. This credential would serve as a secure, verifiable proof of Canadian provenance for minerals mined in Canada. If adopted, the goal would be to enhance supply chain transparency, support trade compliance, and strengthen Canada’s position in global critical mineral markets. This Request for Information (RFI) is designed to assist in gathering information that will help inform considerations including feasibility in the potential development of a “Mined in Canada” digital credential and could inform future consideration of potential related tools such as for digital credentials for mineral processing.

Background

Opportunities

In the current geopolitical environment, there is interest in exploring the potential trade and security benefits to tracking the origin of a product to demonstrate provenance to international partners.

Mining companies across Canada currently lack a consistent method to demonstrate the origin of Canadian-sourced minerals to downstream supply chain actors such as processors, refineries, smelters, manufacturers, border agencies, and international partners.

A digital credential is a portable digital record about a subject (e.g., organization, individual, product) that can be held and presented online and in-person through a digital wallet. It is the digital representation of a traditional physical certificate or other types of information that is typically issued by a trusted authority, such as a government.

A digital credential for provenance is a specialized type of digital credential that verifies the origin of a product or material. It can be applied voluntarily by a company and issued by an entity, such as a Government of Canada department or agency, so long as the appropriate information and validation processes are in place. Once a credential has been created, it can be shared by the company with other actors down the supply chain who can access it directly via a QR code or other standardized digital method.

A digital credential offers a secure, tamper-evident and easily verifiable solution that could be combined voluntarily with supply chain traceability systems according to business needs.

By issuing a “Mined in Canada” digital credential, Natural Resources Canada could enable Canadian minerals to be recognized globally, supporting trade agreements, international stockpiling and coordination objectives, and market access requirements where proof of origin is required.

Based on this Request for Information and other information that will be gathered, Natural Resources Canada will be better equipped to decide on the best path forward for a “Mined in Canada” digital credential, which could lay a foundation for exploring related areas for potential digital credentials in the future such as in minerals processing.

Canadian and Global Context for Digital Credentials and Provenance

This RFI initiative aligns with the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy (2022) and its objectives relating to increasing market transparency, the G7 Roadmap to Promote Standards-Based Markets for Critical Minerals and its goals pertaining to supply chain traceability and provenance, and the Canada-European Union Digital Trade Agreement, and its intention to enhance interoperability of digital credentials between the two partners.

Further, the European Batteries Regulation is expected to require digital product passports for all batteries entering the market place for light- and medium-duty vehicles, as of February 2027, which will include details on chain of custody.

Finally, various international organizations are exploring the standardization of digital credentials and related technologies, such as digital product passports, including the United Nations European Economic Commission’s recent approval of Recommendation 49 on Transparency at Scale to foster transparent and sustainable value chains, which promotes standardization of digital credential interoperability.

Risks

Implementation requires coordination across multiple stakeholders (companies, industry associations and international partners) and jurisdictions (provinces and territories) to ensure interoperability and compliance with existing digital standards.

Costing models for credential issuance, verification and compliance processes must be assessed to ensure viability.

Integration with downstream supply chain systems and environmental, social and governance frameworks that include provisions for provenance or chain of custody introduces technical complexity and potential cybersecurity considerations that need to be identified and addressed or mitigated, which will require insight into existing and emerging standards.

Stakeholder adoption may vary depending on perceived value, ease of use, and compatibility with existing systems.

Eligibility

While anyone can respond to the questions in this Request for Information, the primary audience for participation likely has some knowledge, technical expertise, or policy awareness about digital mine permitting, digital credentials, supply chain traceability, digital product passports, digital trust solutions, and/or other related concepts, standards, and/or applications. Participation is open but not limited to the following categories:

• Domestic and international mining companies, especially those operating in Canada, and downstream value chain segments
• Midstream and downstream sectors tied to mining supply chains
• Technology providers specializing in supply chain traceability, digital credentials, digital product passports, and/or digital trust solutions
• Industry associations and standards organizations with affiliated knowledge
• Academics and subject matter experts in digital credentials, supply chain traceability, or related subjects
• Indigenous communities and organizations with related interests
• Not-for-profit organizations and research organizations with subject matter interest
• Other federal government departments and agencies
• Canadian provinces and territories
• Other stakeholders with an interest in digital credential applications for minerals

How to Respond

We invite stakeholders to provide feedback on the potential for a “Mined in Canada” digital credential and how it could work. Based on your area of expertise, please respond to as many questions as possible in the RFI response form. The form is organized around 5 thematic areas for your consideration:

• Economic and strategic value and viability
• Technical considerations
• Domestic and international considerations
• Risks, concerns and solutions
• Other considerations or concerns

After you Respond

Thank you for your submission to this RFI. Your insights will support internal analysis to assess the feasibility and configuration of a “Mined in Canada” digital credential. All responses will be treated as anonymous and aggregated as part of the assessment process conducted by Natural Resources Canada. A summary of findings may be shared at a later date.

If you wish to provide additional materials or documents in support of your response, please share these documents with the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence at Natural Resources Canada (cmce-cemc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca).

Contact us

For questions regarding this RFI, please contact the Critical Minerals Centre of Excellence at: cmce-cemc@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

Disclaimer

Please note this is solely a request for information and does not represent formal consultation for a current or future funding opportunity. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is not obligated to respond directly or indirectly to any of the issues submitted under an RFI.

NRCan will not reimburse any respondent for expenses incurred in responding. Respondents will have no claim for damages, compensation, loss of profit, or allowance arising out of providing comments in response to the RFI.

Please do not include any information you consider proprietary or confidential. NRCan will handle the responses in accordance with the Access to Information Act.

This RFI is an initiative led by the Government of Canada.

NRCan may, at its discretion, contact any respondents that have agreed to be contacted to follow up with additional questions or for clarification of any aspect of a response.

Privacy Notice Statement

The Request for Information (RFI) questionnaire is voluntary, and the purpose is to explore the economic viability, strategic value, and other relevant considerations pertinent to a “Mined in Canada” digital credential as a mark of provenance for minerals mined in Canada.

The respondent should only provide business related information and business contact information such as representative name, organization, affiliation/industry sector, and may voluntarily provide a work phone and email address, if they voluntarily consent to potential follow-up for clarifications on responses. If the respondent provides personal information on this questionnaire, Natural Resources Canada will protect it in accordance with the Privacy Act. The information is collected under the authority of the Department of Natural Resources Act and in accordance with the following personal information banks: Public Communications (PSU 914) and Outreach Activities (PSU 938).

The information collected in this questionnaire via GC Forms will be converted to tabular comma-separated-values (CSV) format for the purposes of storage and analysis by Natural Resources Canada. Once extracted from GC Forms, the data will be stored securely at Natural Resources Canada with limited access reserved for those with “Need to know” status.

Please note that comments you enter in the feedback text field should not contain any personal or sensitive information and please exercise caution when providing comments to protect your privacy and the privacy of others. If you have any concerns or questions about the handling of your personal information, please contact the Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Secretariat at atip-aiprp@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.