Canada: Quebec sees 'mining boom' as cheap drilling rights divide locals The eastern Canadian province of Quebec is seeing a new "gold rush" for minerals the government calls "critical and strategic". Demand for graphite, lithium and cobalt is growing rapidly, mainly because of their important role in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. As a result, thousands of drilling rights have been granted in just a few months. These rights can be purchased by anybody for about €50, but some analysts say the rush to buy titles is threatening residents and the environment alike. Our correspondents report.