Ontario Welcomes Frontier Lithium’s Critical Mineral Refinery in Thunder Bay

Press Release

March 04, 2025

New refinery will expand production and processing of lithium chemicals as part of made-in-Ontario critical mineral supply chain

TORONTO – Today, the Ontario government welcomed Frontier Lithium Inc.’s proposal to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to build a first-of-its-kind lithium refinery in Thunder Bay. This refinery would result in hundreds of new, full-time jobs and support Ontario’s emerging end-to-end critical mineral supply chain, with critical minerals mined and refined in Ontario by Ontario workers.

“Our government is working with Frontier Lithium and the federal government to protect Ontario workers and jobs by mining and refining our critical minerals right here in Ontario,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “The frontline of our battle against Donald Trump’s tariffs starts in northern Ontario with our abundant supply of critical minerals. Frontier Lithium’s interest in expanding their production of strategic minerals in Ontario is yet another vote of confidence in Ontario’s workers and business environment.”

Frontier Lithium is working with the provincial and federal governments towards an agreement that would, subject to final conditions, see the company develop and operate a lithium chemicals conversion facility in Thunder Bay. This facility would be part of Frontier Lithium’s PAK Lithium Project, which aims to be the first fully integrated lithium development initiative in Canada and will be an important part of the province’s developing made-in-Ontario critical mineral supply chain.

Ontario has significant deposits of lithium, which is a strategically important material in the global electric vehicle (EV) battery market. With an emerging end-to-end EV and EV battery manufacturing supply chain, Ontario is well positioned to become a global leader as both a critical mineral supplier and EV manufacturer.

Quick Facts

• The PAK Lithium Project is a joint venture between Frontier Lithium and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp., showcasing an opportunity for Canada to supply our allies with the critical minerals they are looking for.
• Frontier has the goal to become a domestic supplier of battery-grade lithium chemicals for the growing EV battery and energy storage markets in North America.
• Lithium demand is projected to increase 500 per cent by 2050 due to the growing domestic battery manufacturing and future-oriented transportation ecosystem.
• Frontier has already received up to $6.1 million in conditionally approved funding under the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund for two projects to advance
• Indigenous engagement and engineering for a 56-kilometre all-season road and electricity infrastructure.
• The Ontario government has provided an additional $100 million to the Invest Ontario Fund for a total of $700 million to attract more leading companies to the province and further support domestic businesses to create more good-paying jobs.

Quotes

“Ontario is a tier-one mining jurisdiction, but we need to do even more to expand critical mineral development and processing in the province so we can protect our economy in the face of President Trump’s tariffs. We’re going to keep investing in our mining and critical minerals sector and work with partners like Frontier Lithium to create new jobs and opportunities for Ontario workers in Thunder Bay and across Ontario.”

– George Pirie
Ontario Minister of Mines

“This investment would be a game-changer for our region, helping protect and create jobs in Thunder Bay and across northern Ontario. By developing our critical mineral resources and processing them right here with Ontario workers, we can protect Thunder Bay and Ontario from whatever challenges come our way due to President Trump’s tariffs.”

– Kevin Holland
MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan

“We are pleased to welcome this proposal from Frontier Lithium. We remain focused on securing investments which strengthen Ontario’s leadership in critical supply chains and send an important signal to investors that Ontario is ready to be their partner.”

– Jennifer Block
Interim CEO of Invest Ontario

“Canada is poised to lead the way in the sustainable production of the critical minerals needed in the new low-carbon economy. Critical minerals such as lithium are key to electrify our transportation ecosystem. I am excited to see how Frontier’s project will drive Canada’s critical mineral production and create great economic opportunities for the province of Ontario.”

– The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne
Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Critical minerals are a generational economic opportunity for Canada. From exploration and extraction to processing and advanced manufacturing to recycling, investments at every step of the value chain offer the opportunity for economic growth and the creation of good, sustainable jobs, all while enabling the technologies we need for a modern global economy. Through SIF, Canada is making smart, targeted investments in the most promising projects, helping to ensure we are the global supplier of choice for critical minerals and the technologies they enable.”

– The Hon. Jonathan Wilkinson
Federal Minister of Natural Resources

“At Frontier Lithium, our vision is to become North America’s leading supplier of critical materials. We are grateful for the confidence the Government of Ontario has placed in this vision and for their intent to support the development of fully integrated operations in Northern Ontario – from mining ore at our PAK lithium project in Northwestern Ontario to producing lithium salts at our proposed conversion facility in Thunder Bay. We look forward to collaborating with the government to turn this vision and intent into reality. Investing alongside the private sector in strategic projects like ours will be key to unlocking Ontario’s critical minerals, building a resilient economy, and ensuring that we maximize the economic benefits of our resources here at home.”

– Trevor Walker
President & CEO, Frontier Lithium Inc.

Additional Resources

2024 Ontario Budget: Building a Better Ontario
Invest Ontario
Driving Prosperity
Strategic Innovation Fund

Related Topics

Business and Economy

Information about Ontario’s economy and how to do business here. Includes economic development opportunities, research funding, tax credits for business and the Ontario Budget. Learn more

Jobs and Employment

We’ve got the resource and supports to help connect job seekers with employers. Learn more

Rural and North

Information about the province’s Far North and rural communities. Get connected to business improvement organizations and learn more about funding and programs that support rural, northern and Indigenous communities. Learn more

Media Contacts

Jennifer Cunliffe
Minister’s Office
Jennifer.Cunliffe@ontario.ca

Media Relations
Communications Branch
economy.media@ontario.ca

ILR4