MARKET
Silver is the best electrical conductor of all metals and is essential for virtually all electronic devices, especially military sensors, electric vehicles and solar panels.1
[1] https://www.usgs.gov/centers/national-minerals-information-center/silver-statistics-and-information
[2] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/09/3202581/0/en/Silver-Demand-Forecast-to-Expand-Across-Key-Technology-Sectors.html
[3] https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/the-silver-market-is-messed-up-these-buyers-are-feeling-the-pain-8ab7f954
[4] https://goldsilver.com/industry-news/article/silver-in-ai-infrastructure-the-hidden-metal-behind-every-ai-model/
[5] https://goldinvest.de/en/high-demand-for-silver-amid-rapidly-growing-defense-spending/
[6] https://goldinvest.de/en/silver-to-remain-scarce-in-2026-persistent-deficit-expected-platinum-price-vulnerable
A raw material for the future
Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO2, commonly found in nature as quartz. In many parts of the world, silica is the major constituent of sand. 1
Elemental silicon is produced commercially by reducing Si02 with carbon in an electric furnace. High-purity silicon, for the electronics industry, is prepared by the thermal decomposition of ultra-pure trichlorosilane, followed by recrystallisation. 2
The term “silicon metal” is typically used for silicon that contains between 96% and 99.99% silicon.
High-purity silica demand is surging, driven by AI, 5G, and renewable energy.
Market Size (2024)7
Revenue Proj. (2033)7
USD $40.46 billion
USD $85.86 billion
[1] https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/13/12/1505
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz
[3] https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/silicon-market
[4] https://www.usgs.gov/news/science-snippet/interior-department-releases-final-2025-list-critical-minerals
[5] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/critical-raw-materials/
[6] https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/critical-minerals-in-canada/
[7] https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/silica-market
The Rare Earth market stands at the nexus of key technological and sustainable trends, including AI, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, solar panels, semiconductors, and microchips, making it a linchpin in the global technological ecosystem.
[1] https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/critical-metals-investing/rare-earth-investing/rare-earth-metal-production/
[2] https://www.areadevelopment.com/logisticsinfrastructure/q4-2024/the-battle-to-break-chinas-rare-earth-supply-chain-dominance.shtml
[3] https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3777044/department-of-defense-awards-147-million-to-enhance-north-american-cobalt-and-g/
[4] https://www.canada.ca/en/natural-resources-canada/news/2019/12/canada-joins-the-energy-resource-governance-initiative.html
Energy Resources Governance Initiative (ERGI)
Canada and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming Canada’s participation in the U.S.-led initiative as part of a multi- pronged strategy by Washington to break free of China’s near-monopoly on so-called critical energy minerals.
US Government announces Canadian companies can be eligible for the Defence Production Act that will be awarded as Grants, not Loans, to companies that can help secure domestic critical minerals supply.
Sources: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/24/joint-statement-by-president-biden-and-prime-minister-trudeau/ and https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/critical-minerals-biden-trudeau-1.6790933 and https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-military-mining-projects-canada-1.6649522
Three Strategic Objectives:
Canada and USA to partner in semiconductor “Chip Corridor” between the two countries
US launches $12 billion minerals stockpile to counter China
The Canadian government will spend C$250 million on its domestic semiconductor industry to boost research and development and manufacturing, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.