How Canadian Companies Are Filling the Gap Left by China’s Metal Ban

Canadian Firms Rise as China's Export Ban Shakes Global Metal Supply Chains

Editorial Team (ET)July 26, 2025

As China tightens its grip on niche metal exports, Canadian companies are emerging as key players in securing critical supplies for North America. This shift, driven by escalating trade tensions and geopolitical complexities, has created both challenges and opportunities for industries reliant on these essential materials.

A New Dawn for Canadian Critical Metals

China’s recent export ban on gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials has shaken global markets. The move also restricts graphite sales, underscoring China’s dominance in the critical minerals sector. For Canadian companies, this represents a rare chance to step into the breach and fill the supply gaps for high-tech, military, and energy applications.

Canadian firms such as Teck Resources Ltd., Neo Performance Materials Inc., and Northern Graphite Corp. are well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. They currently produce a modest yet vital share of North America’s critical minerals. Meanwhile, companies like Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. are gearing up to join the fray with projects under development.

Neo Performance Materials: Leading the Gallium Recovery Effort

Neo Performance Materials stands as North America’s sole producer of gallium. Based in Toronto, the company extracts this rare metal through recycling processes. Gallium plays a critical role in semiconductors and miniature electronics, industries that heavily rely on stable supply chains.

Chief Executive Officer Rahim Suleman noted a surge in inquiries since China’s ban, highlighting the urgent need for alternative sources. “The growth and success of industries like the US semiconductor industry depend on securing gallium supplies,” Suleman remarked.

Teck Resources: Leveraging Germanium Production

Teck Resources, better known for its base metal production, is a leading global supplier of germanium. This critical mineral is extracted as a byproduct of zinc processing at Teck’s smelter in British Columbia. With increasing demand, the company is exploring ways to expand its production capacity, a move that could solidify its position in the market.

Graphite: The Backbone of Energy Storage

Graphite, a key component in lithium-ion batteries and electric motors, is another battleground in this unfolding trade war. Northern Graphite, based in Quebec, operates North America’s only active graphite mine. CEO Hugues Jacquemin emphasized the fragility of the current supply chain, pointing to disruptions in Mozambique and China’s export restrictions as wake-up calls for Western industries.

Barriers Ahead: Tariffs and Pricing Challenges

While China’s restrictions could benefit Canadian firms, looming trade policies from the incoming Trump administration may dampen their prospects. A proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods could complicate efforts to export these critical materials to the United States.

Additionally, while demand is rising, customers have been slow to embrace higher prices. This reluctance poses a significant challenge to Canadian producers, who must navigate tight margins while investing in expanded production.

Global Implications and the Path Forward

China’s export ban has illuminated the precarious nature of the global supply chain for niche metals. For Canadian companies, this is both an opportunity and a call to action. By ramping up production and diversifying supply chains, Canada can play a pivotal role in addressing critical mineral shortages in North America and beyond.

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