RIO are joining forces with Volvo to provide materials that are...

RIO are joining forces with Volvo to provide materials that are needed for their EVs and autonomous fleet vehicles that they will be producing.

RIO are currently testing samples of lithium from Sayona at a testing facility in Halifax, Canada.

All going well, some of the lithium from NAL could end up in Volvo’s vehicles.

I am wondering what will happen if RIO’s processing method proves to be “best in world?”

Will that change Sayona’s thinking about how they will produce concentrate in the future?



“The multi-materials partnership will allow Rio Tinto, a leading global mining and metals company, to progress sustainability commitments in its operations and supply chains. It will support Volvo Group, one of the world’s largest transport and infrastructure providers, in its ambition towards a net-zero future. The partnership aims to secure supplies of materials including lithium, low-carbon aluminium, copper, and metallics.”

“Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: “We look forward to partnering with Volvo to progress our contribution to a net-zero future, as we collaborate to deliver sustainable outcomes from the mine to the showroom floor. We will be working together to support the decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s operations and deliver low-carbon materials for use in Volvo’s innovative product range, including electric and autonomous vehicles.”

https://www.riotinto.com/news/releases/2022/Rio-Tinto-and-Volvo-Group-partner-for-low-carbon-materials-supply-and-pilot-sustainable-autonomous-hauling-solutions


“The demonstration plant was commissioned in June after successful laboratory testing of the new process and produced its first ton of spodumene concentrate in July 2022. It will test ore from various local suppliers including Sayona, an emerging lithium producer with projects in Quebec and Western Australia.

https://www.riotinto.com/fr-ca/can/news/releases/2022/rio-tinto-starts-demonstration-plant-for-lithium-concentration-in-quebec#:~:text=The%20demonstration%20plant%20was%20commissioned,in%20Qu%C3%A9bec%20and%20Western%20Australia.