Posted at 6:30 a.m.
Quebec Says Signed the Agreement with SEVERAL Players
Game is "ON"
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1778014/filiere-lithium-quebec-batteries-electriquesLithium industry in Quebec: the missing link
According to companies specializing in lithium, Quebec will not be able to become a leader until processing plants are located in the province. (archives)
PHOTO: REUTERS / WOLFGANG RATTAY
Jean-Michel Cotnoir (access the author's page)Jean-Michel CotnoirFor those involved in the lithium industry in Quebec, the announcement of the $ 100 million investment in the Lion Électrique company represents a necessary step in the development of this industry in Quebec, but there is still a long way to go.
According to Jean-François Magnan, former technical director at Nemaska Lithium and co-founder of the Phostech Lithium plant in Candiac, this announcement will have no impact, at least in the short term, on the exploitation of lithium ore in the province, being given the absence of companies capable of transforming the ore on the territory.
It has no impact because it is the manufacturers of the cathode materials [of the battery components] that buy the lithium. Cathode manufacturing plants are currently being built in the United States, Europe and Asia. As long as we do not directly manufacture our cells in Quebec and that we do not integrate the manufacture of cathode materials as the Europeans are doing, it has for all practical purposes no impact on the development of the lithium industry in Quebec , he explains.
Read also :
Although the investments announced give him confidence in the province's ability to develop the entire battery manufacturing chain, Guy Laliberté, CEO of the Sayona Quebec mining company, recognizes that the material extracted by his company must for the moment necessarily be sent internationally.
There are currently no other places to ship the material other than markets outside of Canada. There is no project today that could allow us to transform , says Mr. Laliberté.
For a while, while Quebec gets organized, there will have to be supplies or materials sent elsewhere.
Guy Laliberté, Chief Executive Officer of Sayona QuébecThe missing link
With the lithium deposits located in Abitibi and James Bay, Quebec enjoys a privileged position with regard to the extraction of this ore. With the establishment of a battery pack assembly plant, all that remains is to fill in what lies between the two, the missing link , which separates the province from a fully integrated production line. Guy Laliberté and Jean-François Magnan agree to say that time is running out if Quebec wishes to secure its place in this market of the future.
The road is long, because there are several stages. We must not forget that this value chain for the battery sector is a completely new market for companies, for governance and for companies that finance these projects. It is certain that to have a completely integrated approach, from mining to batteries, it will take a certain number of years, it will take a certain number of steps. Quebec is currently structuring itself and that is perfect. Because if Quebec does not structure itself, other countries such as Europe will structure itself , says Mr. Laliberté.
The Sayona Mining mining project should be located about 150 meters from the esker, in La Motte, in the Abitibi region. (archives)
PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / MÉLANIE PICARD
Jean-François Magnan adds that there has been great excitement in the United States since the election of Joe Biden, around lithium and other strategic minerals. However, he specifies that it remains difficult to attract foreign investors, despite the expertise that has been developed in Quebec.
In my opinion, the government should invest massively over the next few months to build a battery cell plant in Quebec. Otherwise, we risk missing the boat.
Jean-François Magnan, co-founder of the Phostech Lithium factoryThe Minister of the Economy recognizes the urgency
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation of Quebec, recognizes the urgency to act in order to develop what he describes as a bridge between the extraction of ore and the assembly of batteries.
In two years, it will be too late. It's an issue where there are a lot of players in North America who want to stand out, like Quebec. If in two years nothing is done, it will be too late and we will have lost , admits the minister.
The Minister of the Economy, Pierre Fitzgibbon (archives)
PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / SYLVAIN ROY ROUSSEL
Despite the strong competition on the international market, Mr. Fitzgibbon is confident of being able to develop an integrated battery manufacturing chain in Quebec, by adding the secondary and tertiary processing stages.
We have confidentiality agreements signed with several players. We are squarely in there, but obviously, the players are being courted by everyone. If you want to be a player in this, you have to roll out the mat. It's not just the money, we also have to have confidence in our strategic resources, and I think that Quebec, with our green energy at low cost, I think we have a good chance of success. Are we going to win on all fronts? I hope so, but you have to work hard, it's a race , he concludes.
