Québec, November 17, 2020 –The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region, Mr. Jonatan Julien, announces that the Government of Québec is granting financial assistance of $151,600 to the electric and smart vehicle industrial cluster, Propulsion Québec, for the implementation of a pilot project on the adoption of traceability mechanisms for battery minerals. Minister Julien made this announcement today during the 2020 virtual Québec Mines + Énergie event.
This investment includes an amount of $131,600 fromMinistry of Energy and Natural Resources (MERN) as well as an amount of $20,000 fromInvestissement Québec (IQ). The Government of Canada, throughNatural Resources Canada, also contributed to the project.
The implementation of this project is part of the directions of the Québec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020–2025 (PQVMCS), which was unveiled at the end of October. One of the objectives of this government plan is to promote the value chains of critical and strategic minerals (CSM), including carrying out a pilot project to set up a traceability system for the CSM needed for battery manufacturing.
Propulsion Québec’s pilot project, using the infrastructure of Nouveau Monde Graphite, will demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of a traceability system for the extraction and processing of graphite. Ultimately, such a system, if adopted more broadly, will allow all mining companies exploiting minerals for battery manufacturing and the producers of their components to demonstrate that their production is environmentally responsible. It could also be applied to other value chains involving mineral extraction. This approach, in addition to meeting a PQVMCS objective, will also align with the Québec Strategy for the Development of the Battery Sector.
Furthermore, this pilot project is a first milestone in the implementation of a worldwide initiative led by the Global Battery Alliance (GBA), which aims to deploy a traceability mechanism across the entire value chain, from the mine to the battery installed in an electric vehicle. Consumers are increasingly eager to know the origin of the products they buy, as well as their environmental and social footprint.
The adoption of traceability mechanisms will demonstrate the industry’s compliance with the highest standards and the rigor of our practices. The work overseen by Propulsion Québec will help position Québec as a leader in the responsible production of materials and components for batteries.
Quotes
"We are creating a transparent, responsible and sustainable value chain for the battery sector so that it supplies the materials needed for our clean energy future."
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources of Canada
"The mineral traceability project in the battery sector is an initiative that fits perfectly with our vision for the development of Québec’s CSM. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the origin of the products they acquire. Québec can therefore proudly showcase its rigorous social, environmental and governance standards. A reliable traceability program thus becomes a guarantee of our responsibility in the development of CSM and a strategic advantage to be even more competitive. Essential ingredients to ensure sound energy and technological transitions."
Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region
"The completion of this pilot project will help develop the battery sector and it is fully in line with our strategy. The pilot project proposed by Propulsion Québec is integrated into a global initiative, that of the Global Battery Alliance led by the World Economic Forum. The results of the pilot project will feed into this international public–private collaboration initiative that is working to establish a sustainable electric transport industry with the lowest carbon footprint."
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation
"The importance we place on our clean electricity as a means of combating climate change is evident. Our Plan for a Green Economy unveiled yesterday is proof of that. The project announced today makes me very proud, as it aims to achieve that objective and will help position Québec as a leader in the responsible production of materials and components for batteries."
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change
"The Québec industry for smart and electric transport is very dynamic and has, with this project, a unique opportunity to demonstrate to investors and consumers around the world that it is a leader in the production of green batteries capable of supplying the growing global demand for electric vehicles."
Sarah Houde, President and Chief Executive Officer, Propulsion Québec
Highlights
- Propulsion Québec is a non-profit organization founded in 2017 with the mission of positioning Québec among the world leaders in the development and deployment of land transport modes that promote intelligent and electric transport. It carries out its mission by bringing together all the actors of the sector around concerted projects.
- As part of this pilot project, Propulsion Québec's partners are as follows:
- OPTEL, a global leader in traceability systems for supply chains, headquartered in Québec;
- The International Reference Centre for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes and Services (CIRAIG), a research group and center of expertise in sustainable development and life cycle based in Montréal;
- The company Nouveau Monde Graphite (NMG), whose data will be used as part of the pilot project, the only graphite project aimed at the battery market targeting carbon neutrality in North America.
- Critical and strategic minerals are part of everyday life and are found in many devices and objects, for example: medical imaging devices, batteries, laptops, cell phones and electric vehicles.
The Québec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020–2025 (PQVMCS) stems from the government’s desire to promote the prosperity of Québec’s regions and the transition to a lower-carbon economy. This plan will enable the establishment in Québec of value chains for critical and strategic minerals (CSM) in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, social acceptability and wealth creation for the regions, including local and Indigenous communities.
- Related links:
For more information regarding the Québec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals, see the web page on the subject:Québec.ca/mineraux-critiques-strategiques - .All the details surrounding the virtual meeting can be found on the website ofQuébec Mines + Énergie
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For information about the Ministry and to learn more about its activities and accomplishments, visit mern.gouv.qc.ca and social media:
https://fr-ca.facebook.com/EnergieRessourcesNaturelles
https://twitter.com/mern_quebec
Source:
Marie-Eve Thérien
Political Communications Advisor and
responsible for parliamentary affairs
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and
Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region
Tel.: 418 643-7295
Information:
Catherine Ippersiel
Press Relations Officer
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources
Tel.: 418 627-8609, ext. 3071
