High-tech mining.
Green innovation.
Cheetah Resources Corp., a subsidiary of Vital Metals Ltd. (ASX:VML), is Canada’s first miner and processor of rare earths.
From their Canadian headquarters in the Northwest Territories, Cheetah Resources takes a low impact, low cost approach to mining high-grade rare earths - a group of elements that are essential to the production of electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, communication devices, and hundreds of other products that enable our green and digital economies. In 2021, the company opened Canada’s first rare earths mine coming out of the Northwest Territories in less than 18 months. With initial operations focused on demonstrating technologies that reduce the environmental impacts of modern mining, Cheetah Resources is committed to creating a greener planet and reducing global emissions to guarantee the supply and quality of rare earths.
The Challenge: Coordinating local support and funding opportunities for projects across Canada
Looking to build a Canadian rare earth supply chain within multiple jurisdictions, Cheetah Resources and their processing company, Vital Metals Canada Ltd., needed support coordinating with partners across provinces and territories. Connecting with the Accelerated Growth Service (AGS) gave them access to a network of resources across the country and helped identify new regionally-specific funding opportunities and supporting partners. Their Innovation Advisor helped them coordinate support with ease by using their knowledge of the local landscape and existing network. These connections opened doors to meaningful conversations with multiple government departments and played an important role in navigating the international aspects of developing their value chain throughout COVID 19.
Since joining AGS in 2019, Cheetah Resources, and their parent corporation Vital Metals Ltd. (ASX:VML), acquired the support they needed to execute projects in the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan, and begin engagement on a new project in Quebec. The coordination of cross-provincial/territorial resources, networking opportunities, funding from Regional Development Agencies and guidance provided by AGS helped Cheetah Resources make strides in establishing Canada’s independence in the rare earth supply chain.
How we’re helping them
grow their business
New equipment financing
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), provided Cheetah Resources with a repayable contribution for up to 50% of equipment costs to demonstrate the adaption and adoption of technologies that reduced the environmental impact of mining
Help to acquire funding for new processing facilities
Cheetah’s Parent corporation, Vital Metals, acquired an interest free repayable contribution from Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) to build Canada’s first rare earth processing plant in Saskatoon
Referrals to federal and provincial funding
Referrals from their Innovation Advisor helped Cheetah Resources acquire funding and connect with key partners in the Northwest Territories, Quebec and Saskatchewan
Advisory services and application support
The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) has been a key supporter of Cheetah Resources and Vital Metals’ expansion plans, most recently leading their application for a Business Development Tax Incentive
With the support of
AGS partners
- Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of Global Affairs Canada
- Natural Resources Canada
- Global Affairs Canada’s CanExport Program
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
- Government of the Northwest Territories
- Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA)
We're also helping
them get
- Mining Incentive Program contributions from the Government of the Northwest Territories
- Funding from PrairiesCan’s Jobs and Growth fund to support the building of a Canada’s first rare earth extraction plant in Saskatoon
- Access to CED funding for First Nations and communities to hire economic development officers to access opportunities from Cheetah’s Kipawa rare earth project in Quebec
- Support from Global Affairs Canada to get key personnel in and out of Canada throughout COVID-19
Because they’re helping
to build our economy by
Creating Jobs
Growing Fast
Promoting Sustainability
Increasing productivity
Think you’re AGS ready?
Get in touch
Call us, toll-free in Canada, at 1-833-201-4358 |TTY: 1-866-694-8389, or send us your details and we’ll get back to you.
Looking to find all the other ways government can help you grow, scale or take it global? Check out innovation.canada.ca to find the right supports for your business.