Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on Thursday announced up to C$43.5-million in investments under two critical mineral funding programmes to help advance critical minerals research and infrastructure developments in Quebec.

The announcement includes up to C$39.8-million in conditionally approved investments, pending final due diligence, under the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF) for six energy and transportation infrastructure projects to support critical minerals development.

Critical Elements Lithium will receive up to C$20-million to construct a new main electrical station and relocate 4.2 km of transmission line to service its Rose lithium/tantalum project in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec.

Dumont Nickel receives C$1.1-million  to conduct a feasibility study to connect its nickel and cobalt project to the Hydro-Québec grid via an 8 km transmission line, while Sayona Nord receives C$1.2-million to advance a 55-km transmission line that will provide electricity grid connection for its Moblan lithium project located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay.

Indigenous-owned Eskan Company receives up to $13.5-million for a feasibility study to extend the Renard mine access road by 87 km toward lithium-based minerals projects located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay.

Up to C$1.3-million will go to Cbay Minerals to complete a feasibility study and environmental and social impact assessment to support the development of two-lane gravel roads and 25-kV electrical powerlines connecting the Corner Bay and Devlin deposits close to the town of Chibougamau.

A further C$2.6-million is earmarked for Commerce Resources to study the feasibility of a 1 7560-km road that would connect the Ashram rare earths and fluorspar project. This infrastructure will support the increase of the production of rare earth elements and fluorspar from the Ashram deposit in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec.

Meanwhile, under the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration programme, the federal government is also extending investment of C$3.7-million to COALIA to pilot the extraction and purification of lithium from spodumene ore using nitric acid, enabling the recovery of lithium and byproducts to be recycled as nitrogen fertilisers, minimising waste material production. This will demonstrate and validate the economics and efficiency of a novel lithium process.

"These projects, under the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, will help expand Quebec's sustainable critical minerals production, notably rare earths that are used in electronics, clean energy, aerospace, automotive and defence. Developments like this help mines get built faster, and they are a key element in seizing the generational opportunity before us. The government of Canada is supporting projects that strengthen Canada's supply chains, enhance our ability to be a reliable supplier of the critical minerals the world is demanding and foster economic growth while creating good jobs,” said Wilkinson.