Italy has close and crucial mineral resource cooperation with Canada.
June 18, 2026
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held a meeting at the G7 summit held in France. They agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as supply chains, defense and energy. Carney stated that Italy would be allowed to prioritize the development of its key minerals.
Over the past year, the frequency of contacts between the two countries regarding key minerals has increased. The latest development is that the Italian energy company Eni has invested nearly 100 million Canadian dollars to ensure raw material supply from the Matawini project of Nouveau Monde Graphite in Quebec. Italy has joined the Critical Minerals Production Alliance, and the two countries have signed a series of trade and investment agreements.
The Canadian government stated in a statement: "Italy intends to collaborate with Canada in the reserve of key minerals. This will further enhance the partnership between our two countries in the fields of energy and industry."
Meloni thanked Carney for his decision to grant Italy the priority right of use, and added that Canada's move would help protect the supply chain.
The bilateral agreement highlights Canada's efforts to position itself as a strategic supplier of the minerals necessary for battery manufacturing, defense technology and industrial production, as Western allies are seeking alternatives to the centralized global supply chain. This agreement also strengthens the economic ties between Canada and Italy. Currently, the G7 is working to ensure the supply of key resources and reduce geopolitical vulnerabilities.
