The search for lithium is accelerating in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, while the demand and the price of this mineral are increasing all over the planet due to the electrification of transportation. At least five mining companies recently announced that they would do exploration drilling in this region of Quebec.
One of these companies is Vision Lithium, based in Val-d’Or. Its chairman and chief executive officer, Yves Rougerie, is feverish. In a few days, his team will start drilling the ground to collect between 20 and 30 cylindrical samples up to 200 meters deep. The objective is to determine the quantities of lithium spodumene and the places where it is found, in an area south of the Cadillac district, between Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d’Or.
Mr. Rougerie hopes to demonstrate that there are concentrations there that allow an economically viable exploitation of lithium. This fall, the company acquired 320 mining claims spread over approximately 180 km2 In the region.
“There is an area where there is a known lithium showing, called Wells-Lacoursière – named after those who discovered it a long time ago – which has only been worked very little if not at all. Our first samples give important results. We have lithium contents up to almost 5%, which is very good, ”explains Rougerie.
Formerly named ABE Resources, Vision Lithium refocused its activities on lithium exploration about five years ago. In particular, it owns the Sirmac property, in Nord-du-Québec, not far from the Nemaska Lithium project, as well as the Godslith Lithium property, in Manitoba, also at the exploration stage.
“For all the cars and electrical devices that are going to require lithium batteries, there is not enough production in the world. Prices are going to explode, and lithium projects are going to be in high demand. Quebec will be well placed and we are trying to position ourselves within Quebec, ”says Rougerie.
Lots of drilling in 2022
Vision Lithium is not the only one who dreams of being the origin of a lithium mine in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. Further east, in La Corne, is the North American Lithium (NAL) mine, one of Sayona Quebec’s projects, which is due to restart within a year and a half. Not far from this property, four other Canadian companies have announced the start or the continuation of drilling for this ore in the last five months.
On Wednesday, Musk Metals announced the start in January or February, on its property named Elon, of a four-phase exploration plan that will run throughout 2022. The others are First Energy Metals, with the Augustus project, Jourdan Resources, with the Vallée property, and Newfound-land Discovery, with the Chubb project.
“This area is one of the most prolific lithium belts in Canada and may soon be the next lithium production center in the country,” Newfoundland Discovery said in a statement. The company also boasts “infrastructure such as power lines and roads surrounding the project” as well as the proximity to two projects of Sayona, NAL and Authier.
Yves Rougerie shares this enthusiasm for the region’s potential, also mentioning the human expertise found there. He believes that there is room for several players in the sector in Abitibi-Témiscamingue. “The companies with the most advanced projects, such as Sayona, need to start production in order to create excitement. “
Preliminary stages
The professor of mineral exploration Georges Beaudoin, of Laval University, is not surprised by this enthusiasm. “When Virginia Mines discovered the Éléonore gold deposit [à la Baie-James], there are many companies [débutantes] who have taken claims nearby in the hope of finding extensions and similar deposits, ”he says.
The geologist recalls that all these exploration projects are in their early stages and that the risk of failure is still high. The CEO of Vision Lithium recognizes this risk. He points out that at best, it will take six to eight years for a mine to be built on his property.
Social acceptability is also at stake, as some of Sayona’s projects have encountered opposition. “Lithium mining must respect the environment and must not allow the destruction of unique geological structures such as eskers and moraines rich in pure water,” asked the spokesperson for the Regroupement vigilance mines de l’Abitibi. Témiscamingue, Marc Nantel.