In a series of high-profile agreements and announcements in Berlin on August 26, 2025, Canada and Germany deepened their economic and strategic ties, focusing sharply on critical minerals, sustainable energy, and the infrastructure needed to support a secure, low-carbon future. The events highlight both nations’ efforts to adapt to shifting global energy demands, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the urgent need for climate action.
One of the most significant outcomes was the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between Aurubis AG, the German non-ferrous metals giant, and Troilus Gold Corp. of Canada. According to a press release from Aurubis, the deal secures the offtake of copper concentrate from the Troilus Project in Quebec, Canada, with deliveries expected to commence after the completion of the mine’s construction and financing. The agreement was formalized in Berlin during an official visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canadian ministers Tim Hodgson and Mélanie Joly, and Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Dr. Katherina Reiche.
Dr. Toralf Haag, CEO of Aurubis AG, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “This partnership with Troilus Gold is an important step in reinforcing our international raw material sourcing strategy. With high-quality copper concentrates from Canada, we are enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of our portfolio while building a long-term, reliable partnership.” The Troilus Project is projected to produce approximately 75,000 metric tonnes of copper-gold concentrate annually, a volume that will bolster Aurubis’ supply chain and support its commitment to sustainability. Notably, Aurubis’ copper cathodes already have about half the CO₂ footprint of the global industry average, positioning the company as a leader in environmentally friendly copper production.
The agreement is expected to be underpinned by the German government’s untied loan guarantee (UFK) program, structured by KfW IPEX-Bank together with Euler Hermes, further cementing the cross-border financial collaboration.
But the copper deal was just one piece of a much broader puzzle. As reported by multiple sources, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used his Berlin visit to make a sweeping commitment to expanding the infrastructure necessary to deliver energy and critical minerals to Europe, particularly Germany. Carney told reporters, “The number one focus of this government is to build that infrastructure, and particularly infrastructure that helps us deepen our partnership with our European partners and particularly Germany.”
Carney acknowledged the current limitations—namely, the lack of sufficient ports and pipelines on Canada’s East Coast to enable large-scale LNG exports to Europe. However, he was bullish about the future, revealing, “There is a huge range of immediate opportunities with respect to critical metals and minerals, and there are medium term opportunities with respect to all forms of energy, including LNG and hydrogen.” He further announced that Canada was “in the process of unleashing half a trillion dollars of investment” in energy, port, and intelligence infrastructure, with the first formal investment announcement expected within two weeks.
Among the projects under consideration are the reinforcement of the port of Montreal, the development of a new port in Churchill, Manitoba, and the expansion of East Coast ports to support both LNG and critical mineral exports. These investments reflect Canada’s ambition to become a linchpin in Europe’s energy and raw material security as the continent seeks to diversify away from Russian supplies following the war in Ukraine.
Tim Hodgson, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, played a key role in facilitating talks between Canadian and German businesses, alongside Dr. Katherina Reiche. Hodgson highlighted the mutual interest in Canadian LNG and the development of ammonia and hydrogen supplies for Europe. When asked about government support for these projects, Hodgson explained, “The government is going to use all the tools it has to responsibly develop projects, to do it in a way that's responsible for Canadian taxpayers and do it in the right environmental way, and in conjunction with First Nations.”
Germany’s appetite for Canadian natural gas remains strong, despite Europe’s long-term goal of climate neutrality by 2050 (and Germany’s by 2045). Hodgson noted that the demand for gas in Germany is likely to persist longer than previously anticipated, due to slow electrification of buildings and ongoing industrial needs. “What we all realise post the Ukraine, post what is happening with AI, is that natural gas is going to be a transition fuel that is in greater demand in Germany and for a longer period of time,” Hodgson told journalists. He also underscored Canada’s environmental credentials, claiming, “Canada is currently producing the lowest-carbon-footprint natural gas of any country in the world,” thanks to clean energy used in the liquefaction process.
However, the clock is ticking. As researchers warn of a potential global gas glut and as European demand is projected to decline over the coming decades, Canada’s window for capitalizing on new export infrastructure may be narrow. Hodgson suggested that, optimistically, new pipeline and harbor infrastructure could enable the first shipments in “as little as five years,” though domestic opposition and regulatory hurdles could slow progress.
Beyond fossil fuels, the Berlin summit also saw a strong push for cooperation on critical minerals. Germany and Canada signed a joint declaration of intent to diversify supply chains, with a particular focus on midstream technologies such as mineral processing, refining, and recycling. Dr. Reiche, Germany’s economy minister, stressed, “The supply of critical raw materials in particular is key to the competitiveness of our economy.” Hodgson added, “On rare earths, Canada is in a position to develop the only mine-to-magnets complete supply chain outside of China in the world.”
Three memoranda of understanding were signed between German and Canadian companies, including the Aurubis-Troilus Gold deal, a partnership between Vaccuumschmelze and Torngat Metals, and a strategic alliance between Rock Tech Lithium and ENERTRAG SE. The latter, sealed during the German-Canadian Critical Minerals Round Table, aims to supply at least 50 percent of the electricity demand for Rock Tech’s lithium hydroxide converter in Guben, Germany, directly from new wind and photovoltaic plants operated by ENERTRAG, starting in 2030. This renewable energy supply is expected to cut the converter’s indirect CO₂ emissions by about 50 percent. The Guben project’s sustainability model will also serve as a blueprint for a future converter in Red Rock, Ontario, Canada.
Rock Tech Lithium’s approach is anchored in responsible sourcing, advanced technology, and circular economy principles, with all raw materials coming from verifiably ESG-compliant suppliers. ENERTRAG, with its global portfolio of renewable energy projects, will provide at least 70 GWh of green electricity per year under a future power purchase agreement, covering at least half of the converter’s needs. The cooperation, however, remains subject to positive investment decisions by both parties.
Collectively, these agreements and investments underscore a new era of transatlantic collaboration. Canada and Germany are not only securing vital supply chains for energy and critical minerals but are also setting ambitious standards for sustainability and innovation. The deals signed in Berlin reflect a pragmatic approach to the energy transition—one that balances immediate economic needs with the long-term imperative of decarbonization.
As both countries move forward, their partnership will likely serve as a model for others seeking to navigate the complex intersection of energy security, climate action, and economic competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain world.
