Sudbury is a mining city and a big part of its future lies in the critical minerals that go into making electric batteries for vehicles, Mary Ng says.Ng, the federal minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, is in Sudbury this week. Her first stop was a Cambrian College.
“I went to the EV (Battery Electric Vehicle or BEV) Lab and the Critical Mineral Lab,” she said. “What was so terrific about that is really about the foundation of what Sudbury is … a mining city. The future is about those critical minerals that will power the future industries.
“I met with Frontier Lithium, too. They are the industry partner at Cambrian. It is great to see the collaboration that is taking place in (research and development.”
“The EV Lab was so spectacular. You are seeing these young people … the work they are doing on heavy-duty equipment.”
(Frontier Lithium is a Sudbury-based company working to develop lithium deposits in northwestern Ontario. Lithium is a key mineral needed for making electric batteries.)
The federal and provincial governments are sinking billions into developing the electric vehicle sector in Ontario and Canada
Ng said she was always aware that the role of BEV extends beyond automotive and into industries like underground mining and surface haulage.
“Saving on electricity demand for ventilating diesel exhaust is one piece of this, too. It is all being tackled much more ambitiously now. This young mechanic … she took an internal combustion engine out and converted a utility vehicle into battery operation. It is a learning opportunity. They are developing skills in the area that is really about the future economy.”
source :
https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/federal-minister-says-electric-vehicles-key-part-of-sudburys-future