Principal Issues: Whether NRCan can certify that the principal mineral to be extracted from the hard-rock lithium deposit of the taxpayer will be a principal mineral extracted from a non-bedded deposit.
Position: Yes.
Reasons: Positive Opinion provided by NRCan.
XXXXXXXXXX 2022-093527 André Payette
November 25, 2022
Dear XXXXXXXXXX:
Re: XXXXXXXXXX Mineral Resource Certification
This is in response to your letter dated March 16, 2022, in which you requested on behalf of XXXXXXXXXX (the “Company”) certification pursuant to subparagraph (d)(i) of the definition “mineral resource” in subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act (the “Act”) with respect to the spodumene deposits (the “Deposits”) that are part of the XXXXXXXXXX (the “Project”), located XXXXXXXXXX.
The XXXXXXXXXX Project
The Project straddles the XXXXXXXXXX and is owned and operated by XXXXXXXXXX. The Project’s mineral rights span an area in excess of XXXXXXXXXX hectares and are composed of exploration leases (XXXXXXXXXX) and mining leases (XXXXXXXXXX).
Definition of Mineral Resource
In order for subparagraph (d)(i) of the definition of “mineral resource” in subsection 248(1) of the Act to apply, three conditions must be met:
1. a principal mineral must be extracted,
2. that mineral is an industrial mineral; and
3. that mineral is contained in a non-bedded deposit.
We obtained an opinion from the Minister of Natural Resources (“NRCan”) regarding the Deposits. NRCan has advised us that the principal mineral to be extracted from the Deposits, spodumene, is an industrial mineral contained in non-bedded deposits (pegmatites). It is therefore our view that the Deposits will qualify as a “mineral resource” pursuant to subparagraph (d)(i) of the definition of this term in subsection 248(1) of the Act.
We have attached a copy of the certification provided by NRCan for your records.
Yours truly,
Kimberley Wharram
Manager
Resources Section
Reorganizations Division
Income Tax Rulings Directorate
Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch