MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OF CANADA AND THE MINISTRY OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES OF NORWAY CONCERNING CRITICAL MINERALS COOPERATION

The Department of Natural Resources of Canada and the Ministry of Trade and Industries of Norway, hereinafter referred to as the “Participants”,

Recognizing the strategic importance of critical minerals to economic and national security;

Affirming their mutual interest in building critical minerals partnerships to support supply chain resiliency, and facilitate trade, investment and research across the critical mineral value chain; and

Desiring to improve cooperation and position both countries as globally competitive players in the critical minerals supply chain to support their collective prosperity and energy transitions;

Have come to the following understanding:

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to strengthen the partnership between the Participants with a view to achieving their shared ambitions to developing secure and resilient critical mineral supply and value chains.

2. AREAS OF COOPERATION

The Participants understand that areas of cooperation under this MoU may include the following:

1. Strengthening cooperation aimed at critical minerals value chain development, including sharing best practices related to critical mineral exploration and development, and encouraging commercial partnerships, trade and investment between Canadian and Norwegian companies, research organizations and Indigenous partners.
2. Facilitating the exchange of technical knowledge and best practices in critical and strategic mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation and processing for efficient extraction and value-added processing of resources;
3. Collaborating between the national geological survey organizations of Canada and Norway in the areas of exploration and assessment of critical minerals and geoscientific research;
4. Sharing best practices to support de-risking mineral exploration, environmental impact assessments, sustainable mining practices, mine closure and reclamation protocols, indigenous and community participation;
5. Capacity building of personnel engaged in mineral and mining sector; and
6. Other areas jointly decided upon by the Participants.

3. FORMS OF COOPERATION

The Participants express their intention to establish the following cooperation mechanisms in the field of critical minerals:

1. Regular dialogue between government officials;
2. Facilitation of partnerships and/or exchanges between government, industry and academia in the areas of exploration, mining, processing and refining technologies; sustainable mining practices; and other areas to be mutually agreed upon.
3. Promotion of initiatives to strengthen the resilience and efficiency of critical mineral supply chains through public and private partnerships, including investments;
4. Promotion of the exchange of published scientific and technical information and sharing of knowledge on investment opportunities related to critical minerals;
5. Other forms of cooperation may be mutually decided upon by the Participants.

4. IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM

1. The Participants understand that within the framework of this MoU, in order to draw a roadmap for furthering and enhancing collaboration, a Joint Working Group (JWG) may be constituted. The JWG may organize meetings and reviews preferably once a year, alternatively in Canada and Norway.
2. The venue, agenda, date, and format (mainly virtual and physical in exceptional cases) of meetings will be jointly determined by the Participants.
3. The terms and conditions of implementation of the collaborative program carried out through this MoU as part of the envisaged co-operation may be jointly defined by the Participants in a separate implementation arrangement.

5. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Participants understand that this MoU entails no financial obligations or financial arrangements for either Participant.

6. PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Each Participant will take the necessary measures to preserve the confidentiality of information received from the other Participant and designated as confidential to the same extent that it protects its own Confidential Information and will not disclose any Confidential Information to third Parties without the prior written consent of the other Participant.

If in the course of implementation of this MoU any intellectual property rights arise, in that case separate arrangements for the protection of the intellectual property rights will be entered into by the Participants.

7. DIFFERENCES OF INTERPRETATION OR APPLICATION

Any differences arising from the interpretation or application of this MoU will be resolved through consultations or negotiations between the Participants.

8. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This MoU is a statement of intent and does not create any legally binding obligations or is not intended to create rights or obligations under international or domestic law.
2. This MoU may be amended at any time by mutual written consent of the Participants through an exchange of notes between the Participants through the diplomatic channel.
3. The Participants understand that cooperation under this MoU is subject to their respective national laws, regulations, and international obligations.

9. ENTRY INTO EFFECT, DURATION AND TERMINATION

1. This MoU will come into effect on the date of signature by the Participants and will remain valid for a period of five (5) years. This MoU may be extended for further terms as jointly decided by the participants in writing, unless terminated by either Participant by giving three (3) months’ notice through diplomatic channels to the other participant.
2. The termination of this MoU will not affect the ongoing collaboration activities unless otherwise decided by the Participants.

Signed, in duplicate, at, this day of 2026, in the English, French and Norwegian languages, each version being equally valid.