The Manitoba government earlier provided a grant of C$300,000 to the company.

The government is considering a 10% production tax credit that would apply to companies developing processing facilities for critical minerals.

The Raglan project has proven and probable reserves of 31.9 million tonnes grading 2.12% nickel, 0.81% copper and 0.05% cobalt.

The inbound flow is raising hopes among some junior miners that it will be easier to find Chinese funding.

Miners and smelting companies have been concerned by delays in the approvals.

Vale produced 66,800 metric tons of copper in 2023 in Sossego.

From discovery in 2017 to an initial resource in 2023 that outlined one of the largest lithium pegmatite resources in the Americas, the company’s now eyeing its next milestone.

Proponents predict AI will be indispensable to help the industry ramp up the supply of battery metals for the global energy transition to fight climate change.