TORONTO, ON – March 2, 2026 – The Government of Canada, Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), Laurentian University, and a group of industry participants today signed a Declaration of Intent to explore the establishment of the Canadian Digital Core Library (CDCL), a national open-access digital repository of geological drill core data.
Critical minerals are essential to electric vehicles, clean energy infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and defence and technology systems – and global demand is growing. Canada holds significant deposits and millions of meters of historical drill core across approximately 34 federal and provincial repositories. The CDCL can digitize this geological record using advanced scanning technologies and make it openly available through an AI-ready platform, giving the entire industry – from major producers to junior explorers – access to a shared foundation for mineral discovery.
Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial governments, industry players, and academic institutions are exploring how to collaborate and make this data more broadly available. Agnico Eagle, Anglo American, BHP, HudBay Minerals, Teck, and Vale are among the initial industry participants, alongside Laurentian University and CDL.
QUOTES
“Improved access to high‑quality geoscience information supports informed exploration and responsible resource development. The Canadian Digital Core Library provides an important opportunity to collaborate across the sector and support the exploration of Canada’s enormous mineral potential, and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is pleased to be part of this key initiative.”
— Guy Gosselin, Executive Vice President, Exploration, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
“Geoscience data is where discovery begins and Anglo American is pleased to help accelerate the responsible development of the next generation of mines in Canada that will enhance resilience in global critical mineral supply chains.”
— Richard Price, Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer, Anglo American
“Canada’s extensive geoscience data is a strategic national asset and a valuable resource for the future of mineral discovery. Increasing Canada’s digital footprint and developing open access principles will empower majors and juniors alike to accelerate discovery. We are proud to be working with the Canadian government, Provinces and Territories to support Canada in digital and mineral leadership.”
— Tim O’Connor, Group Exploration Officer, BHP
“HudBay is excited to be collaborating with the Government of Canada, Creative Destruction Lab, Laurentian University, and our mining peers to catalogue and analyze core samples using artificial intelligence. Public-private collaborations like these that advance our understanding of geology are worthwhile and help us unlock more value for Canadians through the critical minerals we produce for the green energy transition.”
— Candace Brule, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets & Corporate Affairs, HudBay
“Teck Resources is pleased to be among the initial participants in the exploration of the Canadian Digital Core Library. This is a key initiative to enable the discovery and development of the next generation of critical mineral mines in Canada. We look forward to collaborating with the Government of Canada, Creative Destruction Lab, Laurentian University, and fellow industry participants to explore how open-access geological data can accelerate and strengthen Canada’s critical minerals sector.”
— Dr. Stuart McCracken, VP Exploration, Teck Resources Limited.
“Critical minerals are essential for the development and deployment of artificial intelligence, renewables, and other next generation technologies. This initiative will help Canadian mining companies seize the opportunity to find and developthe minerals transforming the future, further cementing Canada’s status as a global mining champion. We are proud to be a part of it.”
— Ciara Talbot, Director, Exploration, Vale Base Metals
“We are proud to be among the initial participants advancing the exploration of the Canadian Digital Core Library. As Canada’s Mining University, we recognize the transformative potential of this initiative and look forward to collaborating with the Government of Canada, Creative Destruction Lab, and our industry partners to help drive its success.”
— Dr. Lynn Wells, President and Vice-Chancellor, Laurentian University
“Canada’s drill core represents an enormous untapped resource — and making it openly available through an AI-ready platform offers novel opportunities for builders. We look forward to collaborating with the Government of Canada, industry-leading resource companies, and Laurentian University to explore how shared geoscience data can strengthen Canada’s critical minerals sector.”
— Sonia Sennik, CEO, Creative Destruction Lab
Media Contact
Amarpreet Kaur
Director, Creative Destruction Lab
amarpreet.kaur@creativedestructionlab.com
