Governments have increasingly restricted or banned mineral exports in a bid to boost processing and retain more of the gains.

Automakers argue they need more leeway on the rules because it’s currently impossible to produce EV batteries without inputs that have at least some Chinese ownership, while US materials producers contend the domestic supply chain won’t succeed if China’s playing a role.

Just four companies have received the money available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government hopes to unveil a plan by the end of this year to streamline permitting for mining projects.

Funding allows it to move forward with its Barroso lithium project, slated to be western Europe’s largest mine of the battery metal.

Flows into Argentina grew 123%, with the lithium and copper industries contributing billions of dollars.