Lithium Universe has made a strategic decision, choosing Bécancour Port in Quebec, Canada, as the key import hub for spodumene, essential for its upcoming lithium carbonate refinery. This decision comes on the heels of securing a prime location for the refinery, positioned just 2.5 kilometers from the port, marking a significant step forward in the company’s ambitious plans.
A comprehensive study led by Lithium Universe identified Bécancour Port as the prime entry point for the spodumene needed to fuel the refinery’s operations, owing to its optimal location and logistical advantages. The refinery, destined to sit at the heart of the Bécancour Industrial Waterfront Hub, benefits from Hatch engineering expertise for its design phase, promising cutting-edge technology and efficiency.
Bécancour, standing between Quebec City and Montreal, emerges as a logistics nexus, handling over 3.6 million tonnes of cargo annually and offering robust connectivity via road and rail. The port’s capacity to accommodate up to 200 ships a year aligns with Lithium Universe’s logistics strategy for bulk spodumene shipments, aiming for cargo loads of up to 30,000 tonnes per vessel.
This move is part of Lithium Universe’s broader strategy to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for lithium batteries along North America’s east coast, amid a surge in battery plant activities and significant lithium deposits discoveries in the James Bay area. The company projects a substantial increase in battery manufacturing capacity, with 20 major players expected to contribute around 900GW by 2028.
The proposed refinery not only aims to serve the local mining endeavors but also looks to source spodumene globally, considering regions as far as Brazil, Africa, and Australia. This global sourcing strategy underscores the refinery’s pivotal role in the emerging lithium market landscape, promising to refine spodumene into high-grade lithium carbonate for the exploding EV battery sector.
Lithium Universe’s commitment to this project reflects a broader trend of investment in the battery manufacturing sector in Canada, anticipated to generate substantial economic benefits, including job creation and significant contributions to the national economy. 
