Canada is asking three Chinese mining companies to withdraw their investments in local mining projects, interests which the country’s industry minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said are threatening Canada’s national security and “critical minerals supply chains,” according to a Thursday report by Reuters. Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium, and Zangge Mining Company are the three Chinese companies affected, with the Canadian regulator requiring them to sell their investments in local mining firms including Power Metals Corp, Lithium Chile Inc, and Ultra Lithium Inc. China’s foreign ministry on Thursday criticized Ottawa for a move it said was damaging to global supply chains and promised to defend the interests of Chinese companies. [Reuters]