C.R.I.T. conference brings critical mineral experts to Estevan

Yesterday, Southeast TechHub (SETH) hosted the C.R.I.T. Minerals – Critical Resources & Innovative Technologies conference in Estevan, bringing together industry experts, researchers, investors, and policymakers to explore innovations in critical minerals and sustainable resource development. Billed as a “mini” version of the ICE (Innovation, Collaboration and Energy) Conference, the event drew participants from across North America and helped build momentum for emerging energy sectors and strategic collaboration.

Hosted by Southeast TechHub (SETH), the one-day event focused on energy innovation and brought together scientists, business leaders and community members from across Canada and the United States. Discussions covered topics ranging from battery manufacturing and rare earth minerals to advanced coal applications.

“What I loved was that the scientists were able to bring the conversation down to just talk in English,” said Gord More, executive director of SETH. “Even though not everyone got every piece of it, they got enough. And the right conversations are now happening between the different individuals who are doing different pieces of this whole idea.”

Attendees included representatives from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and even Washington, D.C., along with several participants from North and South Dakota. The crowd heard from speakers like Dr. Walter Cicha from the National Research Council in Vancouver, who outlined the state of battery manufacturing across Canada. Dr. Wagner spoke on turning coal into graphite, while Zach Mauer of Prairie Lithium detailed direct lithium extraction.

Other presentations covered critical minerals from fly ash, the Saskatchewan Research Council’s rare earth processing plant, and insights from the Battery Metals Association of Canada.

A key moment during the conference was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Southeast College and the University of Regina. This partnership will help bridge the gap in advanced education and research, strengthening the region’s potential to become a national innovation hub for energy.

“When I started, we weren't even teaching computer science here,” said More. “Now we are. And we realized the low-hanging fruit for innovation was energy. Canada doesn’t currently have an innovation centre focused solely on energy—so why not Estevan?”

While the economic benefit of hosting out-of-town guests was clear, More emphasized that the broader goal was to spark a long-term strategy for job creation and industry growth. He said success will be measured in future GDP growth, new jobs, and expansion of the local tax base over the next three to five years.

“This is the beginning of something,” said More. “We have what it takes in this community—passion, knowledge of energy, and now we’re starting the right conversations.”

The full-scale ICE Conference is expected to return this fall, with a continued focus on education and energy.