TORONTO, ONTARIO – April 24, 2025 – The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is proud to announce Feisal Somji, B.Sc., MBA, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sio Silica Corporation, as a featured speaker at CMI Summit IV, taking place May 13–14, 2025, at The National Club in Toronto. Somji’s address — “The Important Role of Silica in North American National Security and How Canada Can Take the Leading Role” — will reveal why ultra-pure quartz is a strategic material for semiconductors, solar glass, fibre optics, and advanced defense systems, and how Canada’s massive SiMbA deposit positions the country to anchor a secure, low-carbon supply chain.
A 25-year mining veteran best known for co-founding and building Rio Alto Mining into a billion-dollar producer, Somji now leads Sio Silica’s mission to develop a 15-billion-tonne in-situ, 99.9 %-pure silica resource in southeastern Manitoba, that has tested to 99.999% (in laboratory setting), using a in-situ extraction process that eliminates open pits, tailings, and truck haulage. His presentation will outline how this innovation can reduce dependence on overseas quartz, fortify North America’s technology base, and create hundreds of high-tech jobs across the Prairies.
Somji commented ahead of the Summit:
“From missiles to microchips, modern security is built on high-purity silica. Canada holds the grade, the scale, and the ESG credentials to become North American’s primary supplier — if we act decisively. My goal is to show investors, policymakers, and manufacturers how a single Canadian deposit can underpin the continent’s most critical technologies for generations.”
Tracy Hughes, Founder and Executive Director of CMI, added:
“Feisal Somji brings an exceptional combination of technical acumen and proven mine-building success. His vision for responsibly sourced, ultra-pure silica speaks directly to the Summit’s mandate: securing critical minerals in a volatile geopolitical landscape. Delegates will gain an insider’s view of how Canada can lead on a mineral that underpins every facet of our digital and defense economies.”
Additional CMI Summit IV Programming
CMI is also pleased to confirm that Carla Devlin, President, Sio Silica Corporation, will join the expert panel “The Role of Government in the Development of the Critical Mineral Supply Chain,” adding firsthand insight into permitting, Indigenous engagement, and public-private collaboration.
CMI Summit IV Event Details
CMI Summit IV: The War for Critical Minerals and Capital Resources
Dates: May 13–14, 2025
Location: The National Club, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Website: CriticalMineralSummit.com
To register or secure a CMI Summit IV 2-day Delegates Pass, click here.
About Sio Silica Corporation
Sio Silica Corporation is a Canadian developer of high-purity quartz silica committed to producing environmentally and ethically sourced feedstock for solar, semiconductor, and advanced battery markets. The company controls approximately 15 billion tonnes of in-situ silica in Manitoba and plans to extract material that can exceed 99.9 % purity via a closed-loop air-lift well system that avoids surface mining and tailings. Powered by renewable electricity and natural gas, Sio’s low-carbon operation is designed to supply a US$30-billion global market while setting a new benchmark for sustainable mineral development.
About the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI):
The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a trusted global leader in connecting companies, capital markets, and experts in the critical minerals industry. By combining in-depth research, thought leadership, and extensive industry expertise, CMI provides exclusive insights, invaluable resources, and robust networking opportunities that empower its members to thrive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. Through collaboration with businesses, governments, and other stakeholders, CMI addresses both the challenges and opportunities within the critical minerals sector, highlighting the value, sustainability, and strategic importance of these essential materials. As a result, CMI ensures its members are equipped to drive innovation, lead in cutting-edge technology, and fuel industrial advancement worldwide.
To secure a CMI Membership, click here or to secure a CMI Summit IV 2-day Delegates Pass, click here
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