Canada-based Snow Lake Lithium has outlined the need to create a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem across North America to protect the future of its domestic automotive industry.
With some 15 million vehicles sold in the US last year, the automotive industry is estimated to contribute $1.1 trillion to the US economy every year. The US government has identified that battery development and production are strategically important for the country as part of its transition to a clean energy economy and to remain competitive in the global automotive industry.
While North American automotive manufacturers have committed manufacturing capacity to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles, the future of the North American automotive industry relies on sourcing lithium hydroxide on the continent rather than importing it from China and Asia, as well as creating an integrated domestic supply chain, Snow Lake says.
“To succeed in the future net zero economy, we need to create a vertically integrated domestic supply chain to achieve battery production at scale and future supply security. Government, OEMs, battery manufacturers, supply chain and academia need to come together to create an integrated and comprehensive electrified ecosystem including lithium mining and processing plants, as well as manufacturing capabilities and charging infrastructure. At Snow Lake Lithium, we strongly believe that now is the time to build a rock to road supply chain for electric vehicles for the longevity of the industry.” says Philip Gross, CEO of Snow Lake Lithium.
Based in Manitoba, Canada, Snow Lake Lithium is developing the first all-electric Lithium mine to enable domestic supply of this critical resource to the North America electric vehicle industry.
Snow Lake Lithium is located to serve the North American automotive industry with access to the US rail network via the Artic Gateway railway, which reduces transportation from thousands of miles by road and boat to just several hundred by train.
Snow Lake Lithium’s 55,000-acre site is expected to produce 160,000 tonnes of 6% lithium spodumene a year over a 10-year period. Currently, Snow Lake Lithium has explored around 1% of its site and believes that further exploration will increase estimates over the course of the next year. Snow Lake Lithium’s mine will be operated by almost 100% renewable, hydroelectric power to ensure the most sustainable manufacturing approach.
Snow Lake Lithium will continue its engineering evaluation and drilling program across its Thompson Brothers Lithium Project site, with the expectation that mining operations will transition to commercial production in late 2024.