Mining company Wyloo has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Greater Sudbury to acquire land for a new battery metals processing facility that will contribute to Canada's electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain.

The facility is poised to become Canada's first integrated mine-to-precursor cathode active material (pCAM) solution.

Wyloo Canada CEO Kristan Straub noted that the new facility would provide the missing piece in the country's aspirations to develop a domestic EV battery supply chain.

This facility will produce low-carbon nickel sulphate and nickel-dominant pCAM, which are essential components for EV batteries.

Nickel required for the plant will be sourced from Wyloo's planned Eagle’s Nest mine in Ontario's Ring of Fire region, alongside third-party nickel feed and recycled battery materials.

Additionally, the company is finalising a scoping study for the project, with the facility's construction set to follow the commencement of the Eagle’s Nest mine, which is slated to begin in 2027.

Straub said: “Recognising the global demand for electric vehicles and other clean technologies, Canada has invested over $40bn to date to establish the country as a global hub for the EV industry.

“While we commend this investment, it has exposed a significant gap in the North American EV supply chain, specifically, the conversion of ore to battery chemicals. The urgency to bolster North America’s capacity for processing metals – in particular, nickel – has never been more apparent. Our facility will be the missing piece that builds the capacity to process battery materials right here in Sudbury.

“With Eagle’s Nest as our anchor, combined with third-party feed from other North American sources, we are building enough capacity to meet 50% of the nickel demand from the announced EV investments.”