Electra shakes hands with Three Fires Group

Leading through example, Electra Battery Materials Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding with First Nation-owned and operated Three Fires Group to form a joint venture focused on the recycling of lithium-ion battery waste, underpinned by Electra's proprietary black mass processing expertise.

"We are excited by the opportunity to work with the Three Fires Group and solve a pressing challenge of the EV battery supply chain, namely how to recycle and repurpose battery waste," said Electra Battery Materials CEO Trent Mell. "Our joint-venture will pave the way for producers of various lithium-ion batteries and energy storage equipment in Ontario to reduce their waste, reuse high-value and increasingly scarce commodities like nickel and cobalt, and lower carbon emissions in their manufacturing activities."

The Three Fires Group was developed to create generational wealth and prosperity for its people and member nations through widespread investments including tourism, real estate, retail, full-service professional services, and now clean energy projects.

"Ontario is quickly emerging as an important centre in the global EV supply chain, potentially providing economic prosperity for generations to come," said Reggie George, executive director of special projects and partnerships at Three Fires Group. "Critical to this success will be ensuring that all manufacturing activities related to the EV supply chain are carried out sustainably and responsibly. We believe First Nations should be leading the charge in ensuring a circular economy around the transition to EV's, and we're proud to be taking the first steps together with Electra."

As part of the MOU, Electra and Three Fires Group have agreed to work together to secure a net-zero industrial facility that can be used to shred and separate lithium-ion batteries and produce black mass material – the common name for shredded batteries.

Furthermore, the companies will collaborate to source and process lithium-ion battery waste generated by manufacturers of current and future battery cells, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems.

The waste will be processed at a facility planned for southern Ontario to produce black mass material that will be further refined using Electra's proprietary hydrometallurgical process at its refinery complex north of Toronto.

The joint venture partners have also agreed to collaborate on the development of economic studies of sourcing of engineering, procurement, construction, and management requirements necessary to launch the battery waste recycling facility.

"The Three Fires Group has developed an Indigenous leadership position in fostering the transition to clean, sustainable energy through its relationships with federal and provincial agencies and various clean energy providers," said Mell. "Working with the Three Fires Group will allow us to get access to a steady stream of black mass material and address the growing demand for critical minerals."

CORRECTION: This article has been updated on July 7, 2023 to remove misrepresentation of Three Fires Group affiliation with Anishinabek Nation.