World Biz

Canada gives green light to key lithium mine project 2023/1/17 source: Print

OTTAWA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian government announced Monday it has given the green light to the James Bay Lithium Mine Project to promote the development of critical minerals in the country.

Located about 100 kilometres east of James Bay and the Eastmain Cree Community in Quebec, the project is expected to produce an average of 5,480 tonnes of ore per day over a mine life of 15 to 20 years, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault has determined that the project's environmental mitigation measures provide a sustainable path for it to proceed, the release said.

Canada recently announced its Critical Minerals Strategy in which lithium is listed as one of six top critical minerals due to its importance in the clean technology sector, in particular the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The project, owned and proposed by Galaxy Lithium (Canada) Inc., would include an open-pit mine and concentrator facility, tailings, waste rock, ore and overburden storage areas, as well as related infrastructure.

According to the release, the proponent can now proceed with obtaining any other necessary permits and authorizations from federal departments as well as from the government of Quebec. It is also subject to a provincial environmental assessment by the Environmental and Social Impact Review Committee.

In 2020, the World Bank predicted that demand for critical minerals including lithium that is used in batteries and clean energy generation will soar 500 percent by 2050. 


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