Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced on Monday the green light from Ottawa for the development of a new lithium mine in James Bay, in northern Quebec.
However, the proponent must comply with 271 conditions to protect wildlife and respect the current use of lands and resources for traditional purposes by the region’s Crees.
The Baie-James lithium mine, sponsored by Galaxy Lithium (Canada), will be located about 100 kilometers east of James Bay and the Cree community of Eastmain. The new mine will produce lithium for up to 20 years, primarily for use in North American electric vehicle and battery plants.
Lithium is one of six critical minerals identified as priorities in the federal government’s new strategy, which aims to make Canada a global mining powerhouse for metals and minerals used in the booming electric vehicle industry.
The only active lithium mine in Canada today is owned and operated by China’s Sinomine Resource Group in northern Manitoba, and all of that lithium is currently shipped to China.
The Baie-James project is the first project in Canada for the Australian company Allkem, owner of Galaxy; the mine is expected to start producing lithium in 2024. The project is expected to create 280 jobs during the construction phase and around 160 on average once in operation.
“The Government is committed to making Canada the global supplier of choice of critical minerals from sustainable and responsible sources, from exploration and extraction to manufacturing and recycling, while fostering mutually beneficial relationships between industry and Indigenous peoples,” Federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said in a statement on Monday.
His colleague in the Environment considered for his part that this was a perfect example of a good project, in several respects. “Critical minerals are one of the keys to building Canada’s low-carbon economy and ensuring economic prosperity for years to come,” writes Mr. Guilbeault. We can only exploit these resources by designing them from the outset with strong mitigation measures to protect the environment and by working in true partnership with Indigenous peoples. »