Members of Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7, OTC:ESMAF)’s leadership team have wrapped up a strategic visit to Eastern Canada to talk lithium with government, community and industry.
The delegation, led by CEO Alex Hanly, included Chairman Iggy Tan, Board Directors Patrick Scallan and Dr. Jingyuan Liu and Canadian Director Victoria Vargas.
Engagement with stakeholders
The team engaged with government stakeholders, community partners and industry peers in Montreal, Bécancour, Québec City, and Ottawa, reinforcing the company’s commitment to addressing the Lithium Conversion Gap in North America.
The delegation met with the Honourable Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economics, Innovation and Energy in Québec City.
The company welcomed Minister Fitzgibbon’s enthusiasm for the company’s engineering progress and the acquisition of the option agreement within the Bécancour Industrial Park.
The Minister reiterated his support for the company’s vision of transforming Québec into a centre for lithium conversion, leveraging hydroelectric power and strategic logistics advantages.
In Bécancour, the team met with executives from the Bécancour Waterfront Industrial Park (BWIP).
Site evaluation and process design
The discussions focused on site evaluation activities and process design for the refinery. In addition, the company confirmed the port’s capacity to manage 50,000-ton bulk shipments, exceeding its initial requirements.
In Montreal, the company engaged with representatives from Investissement Québec (IQ), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF), Energy Transition Valley Innovation Zone and the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.
The provincial government’s recognition of the lithium conversion gap and support for battery metals projects align with the company’s strategy.
In Ottawa, federal government stakeholders from Invest in Canada (IIC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN), Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), and Export Development Canada (EDC) praised the company’s proactive approach.
The alignment with the federal strategy to decouple supply chains from China was highlighted as a key initiative.
The delegation held a productive meeting with engineering partner Hatch Ltd in Montreal.
Discussions focused on the “same process, same equipment, same supplier” strategy, which minimises technical risks and reduces costs.
Hatch’s leadership in lithium refinery engineering was emphasised as a crucial factor in the project’s fast-track development.
Lithium Universe chair Iggy Tan said: “The reception from federal, provincial and local government delegates has left a very positive impression on the LU7 board of directors.
“The region has made strong commitments since releasing the Critical Minerals Strategies four years ago and we have seen that in the significant investments made within the battery supply chain and pragmatic discussions held with key government executives.
“We look forward to advancing the company’s Bécancour Lithium Refinery to contribute in making Québec the lithium conversion centre within the Transatlantic region.”