Scientific CSM Network: Research Findings on Foundational CSM Projects

This presentation will provide an overview of progress made in the joint CTRI-Voltrinov project on lithium-ion battery recycling, carried out within the Réseau MCS initiative. The project focuses on the development of an integrated hydrometallurgical process for the black mass treatment of batteries and recovery of valuable battery materials.

The work includes black mass characterization, optimization, and scale-up of reductive leaching, solution purification, and recovery of Ni, Co, Mn, and Li. A sulfuric-acid-based leaching route has been developed and scaled up to generate a pregnant leach solution for downstream processing, while the graphite-enriched leaching residue offers potential for future recovery and valorization.

Downstream development focuses on a stepwise purification strategy. Copper is first removed, followed by selective removal of iron and aluminum and, if required, a final polishing step. The purified solution is then used for precipitation of a Ni-Mn-Co product, while the remaining lithium-bearing solution can be directed to subsequent lithium recovery.

The presentation will summarize the progress achieved to date, the proposed integrated flowsheet, and ongoing work aimed at improving impurity removal, product quality, process integration, and overall circularity.

Niobay Metals is developing a process to recover tantalum (Ta) and niobium (Nb) from a concentrate of their ore. The mineral processing part of the flowsheet produces a concentrate that is then subjected to a selective leach to extract the Ta and Nb from the sample. After the leach, a series of purification and separation stages are conducted to produce separate Ta and Nb process streams.

Niobay Metals conducted a development program at the SGS Québec site in order to define the process flowsheet required to selectively extract and recover Ta and Nb from pyrochlore concentrate produced from the pilot plant. This program was conducted from July 2025 until March 2026. The test program was directed by Mr. Jean-Sébastien David of Niobay Metals in coordination with the SGS team and test results were shared with the client as they became available.

The mass electrification of the Québec and Canadian economies, which is part of Hydro-Québec’s 2035 Action Plan as well as, more aspirationally, Canada’s National Electricity Strategy, will require investments of more than $1.2 trillion over the next 25 years. Despite these massive sums, neither the Government of Québec nor the federal government has taken a stance on the significant leverage these investments represent for supporting innovation in the electricity sector and, more broadly, for increasing the value-added processing of certain critical and strategic materials produced in the country. It is not too late to correct this situation, as shown by some of the avenues presented during this conference.

This presentation will focus on research findings from recent projects related to critical and strategic minerals. You will also be able to attend a distinguished lecture given by Normand Mousseau. The event will conclude with a panel discussion on defence, titled “Dual Use and Global Exclusivity with L3Process.”