The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that mining industry experts and executives called in a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday for Canada to immediately address its fragility in critical minerals refining capacity to bolster this country's defence capabilities. The Globe's Niall McGee writes that modern defence systems, including advanced communication networks, aerospace sensors, autonomous systems and electrified military infrastructure all heavily rely on access to critical minerals such as nickel, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements. Nadia Mykytczuk, executive director of the Goodman School of Mines at Laurentian University in Sudbury, said that in many cases, Canadian minerals are exported for refining and upgrading abroad before returning as inputs into advanced technologies. Sean Boyd, chairman of Agnico Eagle Mines, Canada's biggest gold mining company, said in his testimony that Canada used to have a much stronger presence in refining, when it had homegrown champions such as Falconbridge, Inco, Noranda and Alcan. All have since been acquired by foreign buyers. Canada now needs to devote more of its efforts toward research and development, and skilled work-force training, Mr. Boyd said.