- New lithium refinery to enhance production and processing as part of Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain
TORONTO, Canada – The Ontario government has announced its support for a groundbreaking proposal by Frontier Lithium Inc. to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in establishing a state-of-the-art lithium refinery in Thunder Bay. This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of full-time jobs and bolster Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain, ensuring that valuable resources are mined and processed locally by skilled Ontario workers.
“We are collaborating with Frontier Lithium to safeguard jobs and support our economy by mining and refining critical minerals in Ontario,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “This initiative underscores Ontario’s strategic advantage in the face of global challenges, including tariffs, leveraging our abundant critical mineral resources. Frontier Lithium’s commitment to expanding production in Ontario is a strong testament to the capabilities of our workforce and business climate.”
Frontier Lithium is in discussions with provincial and federal authorities to finalize an agreement for the development and operation of a lithium chemicals conversion facility in Thunder Bay. This facility will be an integral part of the PAK Lithium Project, aiming to create Canada’s first fully integrated lithium development initiative and contributing significantly to Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain.
Ontario is home to substantial lithium deposits, a key component in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market. With a burgeoning end-to-end EV manufacturing framework, Ontario is well-positioned to emerge as a global leader in both critical mineral supply and electric vehicle production.
Key Highlights
- The PAK Lithium Project includes a joint venture between Frontier Lithium and Mitsubishi Corp., presenting Canada with an opportunity to meet the critical mineral demands of its allies.
- Frontier is set to become a domestic supplier of battery-grade lithium chemicals essential for the expanding EV battery and energy storage industries in North America.
- Lithium demand is projected to surge by 500 percent by 2050, driven by the increasing domestic battery manufacturing and the transition to future-ready transportation solutions.
- Frontier has secured up to $6.1 million in conditional funding from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund to advance Indigenous engagement and engineering efforts for essential infrastructure projects.
- The Ontario government has enhanced the Invest Ontario Fund by an additional $100 million, bringing the total to $700 million aimed at attracting top-tier companies and fostering domestic job creation.
