Private, venture-backed Canadian company Mangrove Lithium has opened North America’s first commercial lithium refining facility, in British Columbia.

This marks a major milestone in establishing a secure, domestic lithium supply chain for Canada and the North American market, supporting the continent’s electrification goals.

Mangrove’s facility uses the company’s proprietary electrochemical technology to convert extracted lithium into battery-grade material more economically, flexibly and sustainably than incumbent chemical methods.

With a 1 000 t/y nameplate capacity, the plant can produce enough battery-grade lithium to support the production of about 25 000 electric vehicles (EV) a year.

“Today, the majority of global lithium refining takes place overseas, creating bottlenecks and adding volatility to supply chains. This reliance poses significant challenges to North American energy security as EV adoption accelerates and jurisdictions race to localise battery and critical mineral supply,” Mangrove says.

The Delta facility is the foundation for a more ambitious plan by the company to build a facility in Eastern Canada that will expand Canada’s lithium supply through a spodumene processing and lithium refining operation.

This facility will be able to supply 500 000 EVs every year.

The company is in the process of undertaking engineering and piloting studies for the Eastern Canada facility, supported by a C$21-million contribution from Natural Resources Canada through its Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration Programme.

In this regard, Mangrove has signed a memorandum of understanding with lithium miner Élévra to secure spodumene feedstock from the North American Lithium mine, in Quebec, creating a clear pathway towards Canada’s first mine-to-cathode lithium supply chain.

This integration allows Canada to capture more value from its natural resources, strengthens domestic battery production capabilities, and enhances national energy resilience.

Mangrove founder and CEO Dr Saad Dara says the start of the lithium refining facility’s operation is a landmark moment both for the company and for Canada.

“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,” Dara explains.

Canada Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson affirms Canada is leveraging its critical mineral resources, including lithium, to unlock supply chain security, job creation and clean energy innovation.

“Mangrove’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.

“By supporting projects like these, our new government is advancing Canada’s low-carbon potential, creating new careers, strengthening our security, and creating reliable Canadian jobs in an uncertain time,” he adds.

In turn, Canada Veterans Affairs Minister and National Defence Associate Minister Jill McKnight says that the result of Canada’s commitment to building a world-class critical minerals ecosystem is evident.

“Mangrove’s new facility positions Canada as a hub for refining battery‑grade materials right here in Delta, reinforcing our economic security and supporting Canadian innovation. Canada has what the world wants, and we are making strides to use our mineral wealth as a basis to diversify our clean energy opportunities and create stable, long-term careers in British Columbia and beyond,” she concludes.