Mangrove Lithium has officially launched North America’s first commercial lithium refining facility, a move that could reshape the continent’s battery supply chain and reduce dependence on overseas processing.

 

The company inaugurated its new headquarters and Single Stack Plant (SSP) in Delta, British Columbia, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by federal, provincial, and municipal leaders. The event marked a major step toward building a domestic, scalable lithium refining ecosystem in Canada.

 

Speakers included Mangrove Lithium CEO and Founder Saad Dara, Federal Minister and Member of Parliament for Delta Jill McKnight, InBC Chief Investment Officer Thomas Park, and Delta Mayor George Harvie. British Columbia Premier David Eby also delivered a video message highlighting the importance of domestic lithium processing in Canada’s energy transition.

 

The Delta facility is the first commercial electrochemical lithium refinery of its kind in North America. It represents a shift away from the global status quo, where most lithium refining is concentrated overseas—creating supply chain bottlenecks and price volatility as electric vehicle demand surges.

 

Mangrove’s proprietary electrochemical process converts extracted lithium into battery-grade material more efficiently, flexibly, and sustainably than traditional chemical methods. With a 1,000-tonne-per-year capacity, the plant can produce enough lithium to support roughly 25,000 electric vehicles annually.

 

Company leadership framed the facility as the foundation for a broader national strategy to localize critical mineral processing.

 

“This is a landmark moment not just for Mangrove, but for Canada,” said Saad Dara, CEO and Founder of Mangrove Lithium. 

 

“By commissioning the first commercial electrochemical lithium refinery in North America, we are proving that lithium can be refined domestically, sustainably, and competitively. This facility is an important step towards a fully Canadian lithium supply chain, one that strengthens our energy security, accelerates the transition to EVs, and positions Canada as a global leader in critical mineral processing.”

 

Government officials echoed the strategic importance of the project for energy security, jobs, and clean technology leadership.

 

“Canada is leveraging our critical mineral resources – including our lithium – to unlock supply chain security, job creation, and clean energy innovation,” said Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. 

 

“Mangrove Lithium’s new headquarters will house North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility –exactly the type of cutting-edge, sovereign Canadian project we need. By supporting projects like these, our new government is advancing Canada’s low-carbon potential, creating new careers, strengthening our security, and creating reliable Canadian jobs in an uncertain time.”

 

“Across the country, we are seeing the results of Canada’s commitment to building a world-class critical minerals ecosystem,” said the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. 

 

“Mangrove Lithium’s new facility positions Canada as a hub for refining battery-grade materials right here in Delta, reinforcing our economic security and supporting Canadian innovation. Canada has what the world wants, and we are making strides to use our mineral wealth as a basis to diversify our clean energy opportunities and create stable, long-term careers in British Columbia and beyond.”

 

“Today’s opening marks a turning point for Canada’s critical minerals value chain,” said the Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Delta. 

 

“By commissioning North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility, Mangrove Lithium is helping Canada move from raw potential to real production—here at home. This project strengthens our energy security, supports good Canadian jobs, and advances a Made-in-Canada battery supply chain that will power the clean economy and deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.”

 

The Delta plant is only the first step. Mangrove has also outlined plans for a second facility in Eastern Canada that would significantly expand output through spodumene processing and refining, with capacity to support up to 500,000 electric vehicles annually.

 

That project is backed by up to $21.88 million CAD in conditionally approved funding from Natural Resources Canada through its Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration program.

 

Mangrove has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Élévra to secure spodumene feedstock from Quebec’s North American Lithium mine, laying the groundwork for Canada’s first integrated mine-to-cathode lithium supply chain.

 

Together, the projects aim to keep more value from critical minerals inside Canada while strengthening North America’s position in the global clean energy race.