Canada urged to harness raw materials wealth to become a 'global battery supply chain leader'
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BMAC president Liz Lappin. Photo: BMAC
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Lawmakers in Canada have been told the country has a "once-in-a-generation opportunity” to use its battery raw materials wealth and become a global supply chain leader for electric vehicles and energy storage.
The Battery Metals Association of Canada (BMAC) president, Liz Lappin, said the surge in international demand for battery metals, specifically to feed the expanding electric vehicles supply chain, was "an untapped market” for the country.
Lappin, who is also VP of corporate affairs and exploration for the emerging lithium developer, E3 Metals Corp, told Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources the country was "on the cusp of a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop its critical minerals industry in a sustainable way”.
"We recommend prioritising investment in the battery component and cell manufacturing sector,” Lappin said.
'Responsible development'
BMAC recommendations to support critical minerals development include providing financial support for qualified domestic battery metals companies capable of demonstrating viable prospective projects.
In addition, BMAC is calling for a "streamlined regulatory framework to incentivise responsible development” nationally.
To avoid being only exporters of raw materials, "Canada needs to further develop our ‘made-in-Canada’, end-to-end, coast-to-coast, domestic supply chain, to ensure Canadians have access to batteries for EVs and energy storage systems”, Lappin said.
The House of Commons Natural Resources Committee is conducting a study into positioning Canada "as a responsible source in critical minerals and battery value chains”, to support renewable energy and clean technology projects in the "post-Covid-19 economy”.
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The Battery Metals Association of Canada (BMAC) president, Liz Lappin, said the surge in international demand for battery metals, specifically to feed the expanding electric vehicles supply chain, was "an untapped market” for the country.
Lappin, who is also VP of corporate affairs and exploration for the emerging lithium developer, E3 Metals Corp, told Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Natural Resources the country was "on the cusp of a rare, once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop its critical minerals industry in a sustainable way”.
"We recommend prioritising investment in the battery component and cell manufacturing sector,” Lappin said.
'Responsible development'
BMAC recommendations to support critical minerals development include providing financial support for qualified domestic battery metals companies capable of demonstrating viable prospective projects.
In addition, BMAC is calling for a "streamlined regulatory framework to incentivise responsible development” nationally.
To avoid being only exporters of raw materials, "Canada needs to further develop our ‘made-in-Canada’, end-to-end, coast-to-coast, domestic supply chain, to ensure Canadians have access to batteries for EVs and energy storage systems”, Lappin said.
The House of Commons Natural Resources Committee is conducting a study into positioning Canada "as a responsible source in critical minerals and battery value chains”, to support renewable energy and clean technology projects in the "post-Covid-19 economy”.
Related articles in our archive:
Canada funding boost for First Cobalt refinery project to supply EV battery market