Construction of Rio Tinto’s Nemaska lithium plant at Becancour, Quebec, is set to remain on hold through 2027, putting its planned 2028 start in doubt, Le Journal de Montreal reported, citing a company letter in which employees were told work could resume in 2028, although that was unconfirmed. Quebec’s economic development minister’s office had confirmed 68 layoffs extending through December in earlier reporting, and the longer pause raises questions about the return on C$1.2 billion (US$846 million) of public funding Quebec has put into the venture.
The plant was more than 70 percent complete in March, when Rio slowed construction and said the decision did not reflect any reduction in commitment. Rio took direct management control in February after raising its interest to 54 percent, with Quebec holding 46 percent, and is still reviewing whether the Whabouchi project or its wholly owned Galaxy project should supply the plant’s spodumene in the long term.