Rio Tinto takes majority control of Canada's Nemaska Lithium

Feb 18 (Reuters) - Rio ‌Tinto said ​on ​Wednesday it has gained majority control of Canada's Nemaska Lithium, advancing its push to ‌build an integrated lithium business in Quebec.

The Anglo-Australian ⁠miner now holds a 53.9% stake in the lithium ‌producer and will assume direct ‌management, while the Government of Quebec holds 46.1%.

Rio Tinto is seeking to establish a fully integrated ​lithium supply chain in Quebec, from mining raw ore to chemical processing, to supply the ⁠North American electric vehicle market.

Rio Tinto and the eastern Canadian province, through ​its economic development agency Investissement Quebec, have been investing in Nemaska Lithium since March ​2025.

The partners will continue to ‌fund the project, including the lithium hydroxide plant in Becancour, with first production ⁠expected in 2028, it added.

Quebec will invest up to an additional $200 million in Nemaska Lithium through share subscriptions, ⁠the company said, on top of an investment of more than $300 ​million by Rio Tinto in 2026 to further develop its lithium sector in the province.

Through its acquisition of Arcadium ‌in March 2025, Rio Tinto acquired a 50% interest in Nemaska Lithium, which ‌includes the lithium hydroxide plant in Becancour, Quebec, and ⁠the Whabouchi spodumene mine ‌in the Eeyou ​Istchee James Bay region of Quebec.

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim ‌Zahid)

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