Many Canadians continue to opt for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to get around. In 2025, 169,972 ZEVs were sold in Canada. In the third quarter of 2025, close to 1 in 10 (9.4%) new vehicles registered were ZEVs.
Whether hybrid or full electric, ZEVs require a lot of critical minerals for their batteries and other electrical components—and Canadian suppliers are busy keeping up!
The latest industry figures also indicate a busy supply chain. In 2025, recoverable lithium production (4.5 million kilograms) was just shy of 2024’s record high of 4.9 million kilograms, but up considerably from 2021 (40 750 kg). Nickel, cobalt and copper also saw increased production in 2025.
These minerals were among Natural Resources Canada’s group of prioritized critical minerals in 2023 because of their use as inputs into battery manufacturing. This group of minerals contributed $5.0 billion in real gross domestic product and was associated with nearly 12,800 jobs in 2023.
And last but not least: to properly keep up with demand, capital expenditures on construction, machinery and equipment play a critical role in a dependable supply chain. Let’s have a look at recently released data, which include updates for 2025 (preliminary), as well as intentions for 2026.
Metal ore mining expected to throw more copper
The metal ore mining industry group, which includes copper, nickel, lead, zinc and other metals such as lithium, is expected to spend $13.5 billion on capital expenditures in 2026, up 13.5% from 2025.
Much of that increase is due to an expected increase of 9.1% to $2.1 billion in the copper-zinc ore mining industry, including more spent on construction but less on machinery and equipment.
Conversely, a considerable drop (-55.0%) to $685.6 billion in construction expenditures in 2026 is expected to lead to less overall capital expenditures for nickel-copper ore mining.
Sector expected to set a new record in 2026
The broader mining and quarrying (except oil and gas) subsector is expected to increase its capital expenditures to a record $18.5 billion in 2026, topping the previous high of $17.7 billion set in 2024—the highest since the data series began 20 years ago.
A new high mark for capital expenditures on machinery and equipment ($5.1 billion) is expected in 2026, while the projected $13.5 billion on construction is expected to fall just shy of the all-time high of $13.6 billion spent two years earlier.
Capital expenditures on construction for support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction are expected to increase 156.1% to $1.7 billion in 2026. Support activities include establishments engaged in the exploration for minerals.
In addition to investments in the construction of buildings and other structures, including site preparation and development, expenditures on oil and gas and mineral exploration are expected to increase 24.1% to $7.0 billion in 2026.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).