Frontier Lithium Announces Federal and Provincial Government's Intent to Support a Lithium Conversion Facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario
Frontier Lithium ("Frontier" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that both the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario intend to support the Company's planned Lithium Conversion Facility (the "Lithium Conversion Facility") in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The combined government contributions aim to cover a significant portion of the expected capital expenditures required to build the Lithium Conversion Facility. This combined support is contingent upon a number of customary conditions and would be provided once contribution agreements are entered into between the Company and the respective agencies.
The Federal and Provincial governments' intent to support Frontier's planned Lithium Conversion Facility signals a major step forward in aligning Canada's and Ontario's critical minerals strategies. By supporting the Lithium Conversion Facility, both levels of government are laying the foundation for a robust critical minerals ecosystem in Ontario.
The proposed Lithium Conversion Facility is planned to convert lithium from the Company PAK mine project into approximately 20,000 tonnes of lithium salts per year. This expected capacity would support the production of batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles per year.
The proposed design of the facility also allow permit the processing of materials from other lithium resources in Canada and abroad. Lithium is a critical component of lithium-ion batteries, particularly for electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). The Lithium Conversion Facility will be the first of its kind in Canada, significantly strengthening North America's energy and critical minerals supply chain while reducing the dependence on foreign lithium dependence.
"Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to establish fully integrated lithium operations in Northwestern Ontario. We are pleased to see support for upstream critical minerals processing comparable to the commitments provided to the downstream manufacturing sector in Ontario said Trevor R. Walker, President & Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Lithium. "We appreciate the support from the Federal and Provincial governments and look forward to continuing to collaborate as we mobilize Canada's critical mineral advantage—starting in Northern Ontario."
"Critical minerals are a generational economic opportunity for Canada. From exploration and extraction to processing and advanced manufacturing to recycling, investments at every step of the value chain offer the opportunity for economic growth and the creation of good, sustainable jobs, all while enabling the technologies we need for a modern global economy. Through SIF, Canada is making smart, targeted investments in the most promising projects, helping to ensure we are the global supplier of choice for critical minerals and the technologies they enable." said The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources.
"Our government is working with Frontier Lithium and the federal government to protect Ontario workers and jobs by mining and refining our critical minerals right here in Ontario," said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. "The frontline of our battle against Donald Trump's tariffs starts in northern Ontario with our abundant supply of critical minerals. Frontier Lithium's interest in expanding their production of strategic minerals in Ontario is yet another vote of confidence in Ontario's workers and business environment."
Frontier Lithium | https://www.frontierlithium.com/
