Snow Lake Lithium, which recently announced plans to develop the world’s first all-electric lithium mine in Manitoba, Canada, has outlined the need to create a comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem across North America, to protect the future of its domestic automotive industry.
Snow Lake Lithium are committed to operating a fully renewable and sustainable lithium mine that can deliver a completely traceable, carbon neutral and zero harm product to the electric vehicle and battery market in North America.
With more than 10 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. This is because it is part of its transition to a clean energy economy and to remain competitive in the global automotive industry.
Many North American automotive manufacturers have already committed manufacturing capacity to meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles. For example, General Motors (GM) have committed to invest $35 billion in autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs) through 2025, while Ford doubled its electric car and vehicle investment last year to $22 billion.
That said, the future of the North American automotive industry will rely on sourcing lithium hydroxide on the continent, rather than importing it from China and Asia, as well as creating an integrated domestic supply chain.
Philip Gross, Snow Lake Lithium CEO, said: “The US is the birthplace of the automobile and the second largest car producer in the world. With increasing demand for electric vehicles, we are facing a once-in-a-century industrial pivot and need to act fast to avoid losing our competitiveness in the global market.
“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, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), battery manufacturers, supply chain and academia will need to come together. This way they can create an integrated, comprehensive and efficient electrified ecosystem. This includes lithium mining and processing plants, as well as manufacturing capabilities and charging infrastructure.
Gross added: “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.”
Based in Manitoba, Canada, Snow Lake Lithium is developing the world’s first all-electric Lithium mine to enable a domestic supply of this critical resource to the North American electric vehicle industry.
Snow Lake Lithium is ideally 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 six percent lithium spodumene a year over a 10-year period. Currently, Snow Lake Lithium has explored around one percent of its site and is confident that further exploration will increase estimates over the course of the next year.
Snow Lake Lithium’s mine will be operated by almost 100 percent renewable, hydroelectric power to ensure the most sustainable manufacturing approach. This approach is much needed in this industry.
