Jonatan julienMinister of Energy and Natural Resources of...

Jonatan julienMinister of Energy and Natural Resources of QuebecMARTIN JOLICOEURWednesday, June 23, 2021 12:00 AMUPDATE Wednesday, June 23, 2021 00:00Quebec Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonatan Julien says he is not worried in any way about the legal challenges now surrounding the sale of Quebec's North American Lithium mine to foreigners.• To read also: Two Quebec mining companies in turn demand an investigation by the Auditor General• See also: North American Lithium: new request for investigation to the Auditor GeneralLast week, a group of Quebec investors and creditors, led by Montreal-based Central America Nickel, took their case to court.The mining company is demanding from the court that it prevent the sale of the Quebec mine to Australian Sayona Mining and that it order the resumption of the sale process from the beginning.Damaged reputation?On Monday, on the sidelines of a Hydro-Quebec event, the Minister of Natural Resources first tried to dodge the subject by referring us to the cabinet of the Ministry of the Economy. Since the resignation of Pierre Fitzgibbon, this ministry has been headed by Eric Girard."It is not at all my playground," replied Mr. Julien at first, before admitting that he was still responsible for "the Mining Act", "the promotion of the mining sector" and its “strategic and critical minerals strategy”.As such, he rejects the idea that this latest chapter in the saga that has animated the Quebec lithium industry for years could end up damaging the reputation of the province among international investors in the sector.“Not at all,” replied the minister. Quebec has 22 of the 35 critical minerals identified by the United States. We have wealth, deposits, expertise ... After that, Quebec is not necessarily the leader in investing. "ON THE SAME SUBJECT[SLUG]The controller is put on formal notice Méganne Perry MélançonPQ calls for Auditor General's investigation Economy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon reiterated Thursday that Sayona, the Australian buyer, is committed to ensuring that the first and second processing of materials mined at La Corne en Abitibi will be carried out in QuebecLocal investors initiate proceedings