The polymetallic nodule fields in the CCZ of the Pacific represent the largest known undeveloped nickel resource on the planet.

Ontario has identified 33 critical minerals, including nickel, cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. It produced about C$3.5 billion worth of critical minerals in 2020.

The joint project would produce black mass, a metal concentrate containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium and graphite that is suitable for hydrometallurgical refining.

Other carmaker members of IRMA include General Motors and Ford.

“The world’s growing reliance on minerals and metals in the transition to a clean energy future is exceeding current extraction capabilities."

The German manufacturer will produce lithium-ion batteries at the new Bibb County plant, and start making all-electric EQS and EQE sport utility models at its existing factory in Tuscaloosa in the coming months.