Mangrove Lithium has opened North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility in Delta, British Columbia, a 1,000-tonne-per-year plant the company says can support roughly 25,000 electric vehicles annually. The opening marks a step toward a domestic battery-grade lithium supply chain anchored in Canada. Details of the commissioning and the company’s expansion plans are outlined in Mangrove Lithium’s announcement.
Highlights
- Delta, B.C. plant is North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 1,000 tonnes per year
- Output is sufficient to support approximately 25,000 EVs annually, using Mangrove’s proprietary electrochemical conversion technology
- A planned Eastern Canada facility would scale production to support 500,000 EVs per year, backed by conditional funding of up to CAD $21.88 million (approximately USD $16 million) from Natural Resources Canada
- A memorandum of understanding with Élévra secures spodumene feedstock from the North American Lithium mine in Quebec, establishing a mine-to-cathode pathway
A Domestic Alternative to Overseas Refining
The Delta site, known as the Single Stack Plant (SSP), also serves as Mangrove’s new corporate headquarters. The commissioning ceremony included Mangrove Lithium CEO and Founder Dr. Saad Dara, Delta Mayor George Harvie, InBC Chief Investment Officer Thomas Park, and Federal Minister and Member of Parliament for Delta Jill McKnight. British Columbia Premier David Eby delivered remarks via video.
The plant converts extracted lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate using Mangrove’s patented electrochemical process, which the company describes as more economical and flexible than conventional chemical refining methods. Most global lithium refining currently takes place overseas, creating supply chain bottlenecks and price volatility as North American EV battery demand accelerates.
Eastern Canada Expansion and Quebec Feedstock
Mangrove has announced a second, larger facility planned for Eastern Canada that would expand output to a level sufficient for 500,000 EVs annually. Engineering and spodumene piloting studies for the project are supported by conditionally approved contribution funding of up to CAD $21.88 million (approximately USD $16 million at current exchange rates) from Natural Resources Canada through the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration program.
To supply the expanded operation, Mangrove signed a memorandum of understanding with Élévra earlier this year to source spodumene from the North American Lithium mine in Quebec. The arrangement is designed to create Canada’s first integrated mine-to-cathode lithium supply chain, linking upstream extraction to downstream battery-grade material production. The Quebec feedstock partnership parallels other recent moves by automakers securing North American lithium supply through Canadian mining projects.
Executive and Government Commentary
“This is a landmark moment not just for Mangrove, but for Canada,” said Dr. Saad Dara, CEO and Founder of Mangrove Lithium. “By commissioning the first commercial electrochemical lithium refinery in North America, we are proving that lithium can be refined domestically, sustainably, and competitively. This facility is an important step towards a fully Canadian lithium supply chain, one that strengthens our energy security, accelerates the transition to EVs, and positions Canada as a global leader in critical mineral processing.”
“Canada is leveraging our critical mineral resources — including our lithium — to unlock supply chain security, job creation, and clean energy innovation,” said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Mangrove Lithium’s new headquarters will house North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility — exactly the type of cutting-edge, sovereign Canadian project we need.”
Investor Base
Mangrove’s investor group includes Canada Growth Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation, Asahi Kasei, Orion Industrial Ventures, Export Development Canada, and BDC Capital. The company is headquartered in Delta, British Columbia, and operates under its patented electrochemical refining platform, which accepts feedstocks ranging from brines to hard rock and recycled battery materials.
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