Mining, vehicle and battery manufacturing, charging systems, and end-of-life product recycling are key economic opportunities within Canada's burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. Canada plays a pivotal role in strengthening the critical minerals value chains that support these technologies and clean energy sources. The mining sector alone employs over 700,000 Canadians, contributes nearly $160 billion to the GDP, and generates substantial economic benefits nationwide. Through strategic investments, the Government of Canada is enhancing every link in this supply chain, driving economic growth and job creation, and positioning Canada as a leading nation in the international lithium-ion battery supply chain.
On July 11, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, announced over $9 million in investments for Saltworks Technologies Inc. (Saltworks) and NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI) through the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Program. These investments aim to strengthen the battery supply chain in British Columbia by promoting Canadian technologies and addressing gaps in upstream lithium processing.
Saltworks will receive $4,937,500 to accelerate the concentration and processing of Canadian lithium brines to produce lithium battery precursors using new technologies developed and tested by the company. This project is expected to speed up access to lithium resources and mitigate investment risks in the Canadian lithium brine industry for battery manufacturing.
Additionally, NESI will receive $4,500,000 to demonstrate membrane electrolysis technology for industrial-scale lithium production at their new test center. This project will support the commercialization of sustainable lithium hydroxide production technology from various lithium resources and facilitate the large-scale industrial implementation of this membrane electrolysis technology.
Canada is making significant investments in critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are vital for many modern technologies. The Government of Canada aims to establish the country as a premier producer of a wide range of critical minerals and a global leader in creating secure value chains, from extraction to manufacturing.
