Pathways carbon capture project advances as oil sands producers, Alberta, and Ottawa sign non-binding agreement

Canada's Pathways carbon capture initiative gained momentum this week with a non-binding agreement between Alberta, the federal government, and the five largest oil sands producers. The deal also supports planning for a new West Coast pipeline and creates a framework for expanding oil sands production. The first stage of the Pathways project is expected to begin operations in 2032. The weekly mining news recap also covers the closure of the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories after nearly three decades, a major Australian gold mining merger that could revive Ontario's Sugar Zone mine, and the IEA's annual report highlighting critical mineral supply risks. The IEA warns that China's expanded rare-earth export controls could disrupt industries producing an estimated US$6.5 trillion in goods annually.