Summa Silver Corp. (TSXV: SSVR, OTC: SSVRF, FRA: 48X)
Silver Lives Here
At the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual conference in Toronto, industry insiders suggested that escalating trade tensions with the U.S. may force the Canadian government to accelerate approvals for mining and natural resource projects to address resource security needs under a “national emergency” scenario.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on most Canadian goods, with energy and mineral products facing a 10% levy. Canada promptly retaliated with C$30 billion tariffs against its largest trading partner, and plans to impose an additional C$125 billion in measures after a three-week industry consultation period, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated.
Regardless of how the trade war unfolds, Canada must prioritize boosting mineral production. The country holds some of the world’s richest mineral resources, and current uncertainties only amplify its strategic value. Meanwhile, geopolitical turbulence coupled with robust demand is creating market momentum, but whether Canada can leverage this moment to break through bureaucratic gridlock and transform resource advantages into strategic gains has become a focal point for observers.
At the VRIC 2025, the team from the Canadian mining company Lithium Ionic Corp. (TSXV: LTH; OTCQX: LTHCF; FSE: H3N) shared significant milestones for 2024 during an interview with METALS 100. They discussed the potential of the Baixa Grande resource estimate and explored how external factors, such as the global lithium market and the growing demand for electric vehicles, impact the company’s strategy. Lithium Ionic is exploring and developing its lithium project areas in Brazil, which include the Itinga and Salinas projects.
Ted McGurk, Head of Investment Banking at TD Securities, asserted during a panel discussion: Trump’s ‘slap in the face’ might be the wake-up call we need. Canada is a resource powerhouse, but the government fails to recognize it’s become the industry’s biggest obstacle. We need more pipelines and mines—government must stop blocking miners’ progress.
Data released last year by S&P Global reveals that gold, copper, nickel, and lithium mining projects now take an average of 17.9 years from exploration to production—a 5.2-year increase compared to 15 years ago. Josh Goldfarb, Managing Director of BMO Capital Markets’ Metals & Mining Group, emphasized that current trade conflicts will drive governments to reevaluate regulatory frameworks and find responsible pathways to accelerate approvals.
While rising commodity prices have boosted mining’s appeal, Elian Tener, Global Head of Mining & Metals Investment Banking at National Bank Financial, noted that miners are profitable, but permitting delays remain a major barrier to raising capital in public markets. McGurk warned that to achieve electrification and AI goals, Canada needs exponentially more minerals and metals. Current approval inefficiencies have reached absurd levels—governments must act urgently.
As global supply chain realignments intensify, all eyes are on whether Canada can capitalize on this geopolitical moment to streamline approvals and unlock its resource potential.
