Quebec miner produces LFP battery cells from local sources in bid to bring supply chain home
Quebec-based First Phosphate Corp. is on a mission to localize the LFP battery supply chain.
Quebec-based First Phosphate Corp. says it has successfully produced commercial-grade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells using North American-sourced critical minerals. The company, which has a phosphate mine in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, said the milestone advances its mission to localize the LFP battery supply chain. The cathode materials for the cells were produced using phosphoric acid and iron from First Phosphate’s property in Quebec, plus lithium carbonate from Century Lithium Corp.’s Nevada mine. Graphite for the anodes was sourced from Nouveau Monde Graphite’s operation in Quebec. First Phosphate CEO John Passalacqua said this demonstrates North America has all the elements needed to produce LFP batteries. The technology originated in North America but has gained traction in China to underpin cheaper, safer electric-vehicle batteries.