"If we're honest ... the lithium produced in Canada is going to be more expensive, because we don't use slave labour," he said as as he discussed Canada's efforts to ramp up production of the critical metal

The world's second largest copper producer, Peru has a lithium exploration project in the region of Puno, on the border with Bolivia.

Thousands of jobs would be at risk, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a statement.

The central bank’s gold reserves have been tumbling over the past seven weeks, according to official data.

Global demand for refined lead metal will exceed supply by 20,000 tonnes in 2023, the group said.

Iron ore price dipped below $100 a tonne this week for the first time since early December.

Across the world, nationalizing oil industries in particular has proved attractive as a means of cashing in on valuable raw materials and boosting development.