The Conservative Party is calling for a national security review of the purchase of a Canadian lithium mining company by a Chinese state-owned enterprise. Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd announced it would be purchasing Neo Lithium in October, opening a 45-day period during which the federal government could conduct a review. However, no review took place. “It’s concerning that the foreign takeover of Canadian lithium mining company Neo Lithium was not immediately subject to a national security review by the Liberal government,” wrote Conservative MPs Michelle Rempel Garner and Ed Fast in a statement. “Canada is falling behind in developing its critical mineral industries, and allowing the foreign takeover of companies like Neo Lithium without due diligence could further weaken our strategic interest in developing a domestic supply of lithium and other critical minerals.” Rempel Garner, critic for natural resources, and Fast, critic for industry, note the mineral is an …