Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) estimates Alberta has 82.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in place, positioning the province to become a major global supplier, with potentially the third-largest reserves in the world.
Global demand for lithium is accelerating, driven by batteries, energy storage and advanced technologies. Alberta is taking action to turn this potential into a new industry. Work is underway to attract investment, improve regulatory processes and introduce new incentives to support critical minerals development, with a targeted launch in 2027. Alberta is well-positioned to meet that demand while creating jobs and attracting investment.
“The scale of this resource puts Alberta in a position few jurisdictions can match. We have the expertise and infrastructure to lead its development, and we will.”
“Lithium has the potential to be a cornerstone of Alberta’s economic future. With world-class lithium resources and responsible development, we can power global clean energy, create jobs, attract investment and strengthen secure supply chains for our partners and allies.”
Alberta is taking action to attract investment and accelerate development of its critical minerals sector. Work is underway to introduce new incentives, expand access to Crown land following consultation and support exploration.
Several Alberta companies are advancing technologies to extract lithium from brines, with commercial production possible as early as 2027. About two million hectares are currently leased for lithium exploration.
Alberta’s existing strengths in energy development, subsurface expertise and regulatory systems position the province to develop a lithium industry alongside current oil and gas operations.
“What makes Alberta’s lithium potential notable is not just the presence of the resource, but where it is located. With almost 95 per cent of Alberta’s lithium resource found in the Devonian Leduc Formation, a unit with world-class geological properties that helped launch Alberta’s oil industry in 1947, a significant opportunity has emerged to explore development pathways that align with existing infrastructure, the regulatory framework, and the technical expertise that resides in Alberta’s petroleum and critical minerals sector.”
Lithium is just one of the critical minerals found in Alberta. Over the last year, North American and G7 countries have been working hard to diversify mineral supply chains. Most of the minerals included on Canada’s critical minerals list are found in Alberta, including iron, vanadium, rare earth elements, petroleum coke for synthetic graphite production and uranium.
Alberta’s government is charting a path to unlocking the province’s untapped mineral potential, which will create jobs and attract investment. With world-class resources, existing infrastructure and deep expertise in energy development, Alberta is well-positioned to lead in responsible lithium production and supply what the world needs.
Quick facts
- Alberta’s in-place lithium carbonate equivalent resources have the potential to supply lithium for more than 10 billion electric vehicle battery packs.
- About US$1 trillion of revenue potential could theoretically be realized from Alberta’s in-place lithium carbonate equivalent resources.
- Alberta ranked third out of 68 global mining jurisdictions in the Fraser Institute’s Policy Perception Index.
Related information
- Renewing Alberta’s mineral future: a strategy to re-energize Alberta’s minerals sector
- Alberta Geological Survey
- In-Place Lithium Resource Estimate for Alberta
- Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2025
- G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan
- Government of Canada Critical Minerals List