Rio Tinto, Nemaska Lithium board agreed to slow pace of construction of Bécancour project during 2026, allows project team to complete optimisation w...

Rio Tinto has solidified its position as the majority shareholder in Nemaska Lithium, acquiring a 53.9% stake following equity investments made with the Government of Québec since March 2025, while the provincial government retains a 46.1% interest according to company announcements. As the lead partner, Rio Tinto will directly manage Nemaska Lithium, leveraging its operational expertise to advance an integrated lithium business in Québec as reported by Reuters. The company has committed to investing over US$300 million in 2026, complementing the Government of Québec’s planned US$200 million in equity subscriptions to support project development as stated in their release.

Construction of the lithium hydroxide plant in Bécancour, Québec, reached 60% completion by year-end 2025, with engineering work finalized according to project updates. Commissioning activities are slated to begin in 2026, with first production anticipated in 2028 as reported by Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto is currently evaluating supply strategies for spodumene feedstock, assessing the Whabouchi mine (owned by Nemaska Lithium) and its wholly owned Galaxy mine to optimize resource allocation for the Bécancour plant according to mining technology analysis. This evaluation, expected to conclude by mid-2026, may influence operational timelines and resource deployment.

Jérôme Pécresse, Rio Tinto’s Aluminium & Lithium CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of Québec in expanding the company’s lithium portfolio, stating the partnership aligns with its goal to strengthen integrated material supply chains for global markets as detailed in their announcement. The collaboration underscores Québec’s role in positioning Canada as a key player in critical minerals for emerging industries.