Join more than 250 industry leaders in conversations on mining, geopolitics, shifting markets and the importance of developing a strong domestic supply chain 

Critical minerals are reshaping global power dynamics and supply chains, placing Canada at the centre of a rapidly evolving landscape. As demand grows for batteries, clean energy systems, advanced manufacturing and defence applications, secure and responsibly produced minerals are emerging as both a strategic priority and a major opportunity for Canada.

That opportunity will be explored at the 2026 BEV InDepth Conference, returning for its fifth year on May 28 at Cambrian College in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Hosted in one of the world’s largest and most established mining ecosystems, the conference brings together more than 250 leaders across mining, mineral processing, automotive, defence, battery technology, clean energy, academia and government. This year’s theme — Transforming the Critical Minerals Value Chain — reflects the growing recognition that electrification depends first and foremost on strong domestic supply chains upstream.

Why critical minerals matter now

Across Canada and around the world, electrification ambitions are colliding with a new reality: competition for critical minerals is intensifying. Global supply chains remain under pressure, geopolitical risks are increasing, and economic sovereignty has become a central part of the energy transition conversation.

The 2026 BEV InDepth Conference reflects this shift, moving beyond high-level ambition to focus on delivery — how extraction and processing can scale responsibly, how investment and policy can align, and how Canada can retain more longterm value from its mineral resources. 

Hosting this conversation in Greater Sudbury is no coincidence. The region’s mining heritage, technical expertise and innovation capacity make it a natural place to convene industry, government and research leaders for practical, solutions-focused dialogue.

Leadership guiding the discussion

Serving as conference chair, Dr. Nadia Mykytczuk, president and CEO of MIRARCO and executive director of Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines, brings a strong applied lens to the program. Her leadership grounds the conference in research, commercialization and collaboration across sectors.

The opening keynote will be delivered by Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot, senior fellow and director of energy, natural resources and environment at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. In Minerals, Markets, and Might: Canada in the New Resource Geopolitics, the keynote will examine how critical minerals are reshaping global alliances and the steps Canada must take to remain competitive in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

A flagship session, Beyond Extraction: Building a Sovereign Critical Minerals Value Chain, will further explore how Canada can move beyond exporting raw materials toward integrated supply chains that strengthen economic resilience, support electrification and contribute to continental security.

Building the future together

Responsible critical minerals development must also be inclusive. The conference includes a dedicated session led by Jenny-Lou Campbell, executive director of the Indigenous Centre of Excellence for Mineral Development, focused on Indigenous participation across the critical minerals value chain. The session will highlight practical tools and approaches that support capacity building, collaboration and longterm economic participation — key elements of sustainable and ethical resource development.

Bringing strategy to life

Beyond the conference sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to gain a hands-on view of how critical minerals support downstream innovation through the outdoor EV exhibit.

With the support of Greater Sudbury automotive dealers, conference attendees and members of the public will be able to view a range of consumer electric vehicles, alongside free test drives hosted by Plug ’N Drive. These experiences provide tangible insight into how upstream supply-chain decisions influence performance, adoption and market readiness.

A centrepiece of the outdoor exhibit is Project Arrow, the national automotive innovation initiative led by the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA). Project Arrow’s two prototype vehicles, Vector and Borealis, represent a collaborative effort involving dozens of Canadian companies and organizations working together to highlight Canada’s role in advanced vehicle development.

Part of Mining the Future Week

This year’s BEV InDepth Conference also serves as the anchor event of Mining the Future Week, alongside NORCAT’s Mining Transformed underground technology exhibition and the MICA Demo and Networking Night. Together, these events spotlight emerging mining technologies, strengthen industry collaboration and reinforce Greater Sudbury’s role as a global leader in mining innovation.

Join the conversation in Greater Sudbury

As critical minerals take on increasing economic and geopolitical significance, the conversations happening today will shape Canada’s industrial and energy future for decades. The 2026 BEV InDepth Conference provides a forum to bring those conversations together — grounded in experience, informed by expertise and focused on solutions.

BEV InDepth 2026 takes place on May 28 at Cambrian College in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Learn more and register at bevindepth.ca.