Nickel miner Wyloo, owned by Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest, has announced plans to establish a downstream battery materials processing facility in Sudbury, Ontario.
This new facility aims to bridge a critical gap in Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain by creating the country’s first integrated mine-to-precursor cathode active material (pCAM) solution.
Wyloo CEO Canada Kristan Straub stated on Wednesday that the facility would produce low-carbon nickel sulphate and nickel-dominant pCAM, essential components for EV batteries.
This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards fulfilling Canada’s goal of developing a domestic EV battery supply chain.
“Recognizing the global demand for EVs and other clean technologies, Canada has invested over $40 billion to position itself as a global hub for the EV industry.
While this investment is commendable, it has highlighted a significant gap in the North American EV supply chain, particularly in converting ore to battery chemicals,” Straub explained.
Straub emphasized the urgent need to enhance North America’s capacity for processing metals, especially nickel. “Our facility will be the critical link that enables the processing of battery materials right here in Sudbury,” he said.
Nickel for the facility will be sourced from Wyloo’s proposed Eagle’s Nest mine in the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario, along with third-party nickel-bearing feed and recycled battery materials.
Straub highlighted that the combined capacity would meet 50% of the nickel demand from announced EV investments.
“Our commitment is to deliver a responsibly sourced supply of high-grade, clean nickel from extraction to processing.
This commitment aims to position Canada, known for its environmental standards and sustainable practices, as a leader in local downstream processing, establishing a stable and ethical supply chain without relying on imports,” Straub added.
Ontario Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fedeli congratulated Wyloo and the City of Greater Sudbury on the initiative.
“Ontario’s critical mineral wealth sets us apart as a global destination for the production of EVs and EV batteries,” said Fedeli.
Wyloo is currently completing a scoping study for the project, with construction of the facility expected to commence following the construction of its proposed Eagle’s Nest mine. Mine construction is targeted to begin in 2027.
