How are you assessing the role of Canada in the future of mining?
The mining industry has been the core of Quebec's natural resources sector for hundreds of years now, and we are blessed to be having important deposits of gold, copper, nickel, lithium, and other rare earths that are vital for the economy of tomorrow. Thirty years ago, we could not even fathom the growing importance of lithium for batteries as it was mainly used in medical applications. However, seeing this flourishing demand, Quebec was one of the first jurisdictions to clearly put together the political and industrial environments needed for the further development of the mining sector. A Mining 2.0 public policy was put into place with respect to ESG criteria, social acceptance, and the relationship with the First Nations. Having these pieces of the puzzle in place, we are pitching in with the industrial policy side. In the last three years, we have conceived a series of programs, including the draft for the Quebec Battery Strategy and a small exploration corporation (SOQUEM) meant to shift the focus on lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. Furthermore, the government of Quebec owns 50% of the Nemaska lithium project and 40% of the Moblan project owned by Sayona.
How do you perceive the public perspective regarding the mining sector changing?
There is definitely a shift in the society as well as in the mining community. If 50 years ago, the mining companies were not so concerned of the impact they were bringing to local communities, nowadays this perspective has been totally obliterated by rules and regulations. The former methods remained etched in the collective mind and many people are still wary about accepting mining projects near their hometowns. However, nowadays, social acceptance is as key as the richness of the deposits in a potential mine, and a project cannot be started if the local community is against it. Paying such close attention to ESG standards can translate into becoming able to wipe out the effects of mining even after decades of drilling and exploitation; like it was the case with a half-century-old uranium mine site, which has been so thoroughly cleaned that today it is harboring saplings that will soon turn into a healthy forest.
How is the market accommodating the huge demand for critical metals?
At this point, there are not enough resources to keep up with EV production, and by 2035 this stringent need is only going to increase. Although hydrogen can be an alternative especially for heavy trucks, it is not going to get into mass adoption for the next 40 years, considering that we need 1,000 MW of electricity to become the 250 MW equivalent of green hydrogen. Consequently, the hundred-year-old lithium-ion technology will most probably continue to be the main option, and it will definitely represent the base of the green transition for the next century, at least. Although we have a fast-track approach for mining and environmental processes, we must also remain within regulations, and develop projects which are economically viable. Having an abundance of lithium is one thing, but you also need impressive inputs of energy to sustain these processes. Manufacturers are looking for the cleanest energy possible, since batteries made with coal produced electricity are no big win for the planet. This is where, again, Québec stands out, with its hydroelectricity. Also, those large billion-dollar projects involve complex decision-making, and what we are witnessing now is a perfect alignment of both public and private sectors to achieve a common goal: making the greenest batteries in the World, here, in Québec.
In this context, what are the main challenges and objectives that lay in front of Resources Québec in the years to come?
The main challenge is to be able to move all these projects at the same time.
In Quebec, 99,4% of the total energy is hydroelectricity, so we do have the resources to continue to develop sustainable mining projects. However, bringing all these elements together and working fast over a short period of time is no easy feat in a context where we must remain environmentally and socially responsible. At company level, we plan to continue to work all across the value chain, from mining to recycling and its resulting urban mining, thus supporting this circular economy as best we can.
The fact that we get to not only do our job, but to also make history, is extremely fulfilling. The greater meaning in what we are doing is pushing us forward to create a better future for our children, and this is why I like so much public service.
