Ontario Secures $100M Electra Investment to Build Canada’s First Cobalt Refinery in Temiskaming Shores
New facility strengthens Ontario’s critical mineral supply chain and supports electric vehicle growth
Ontario is set to become home to Canada’s first purpose-built cobalt refinery, following a nearly $100 million investment by Electra Battery Materials in Temiskaming Shores. The provincial government is supporting the project with a $17.5 million contribution from the Invest Ontario Fund, positioning Northern Ontario as a key hub in the growing electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
The facility, once completed, will be the only North American refinery dedicated to producing battery-grade cobalt, a critical mineral used in lithium-ion batteries that power everything from electric cars to energy storage systems. Electra’s operations are expected to produce about 6,500 tonnes of cobalt annually, significantly boosting domestic processing capacity and reducing reliance on overseas suppliers.
A Made-in-Ontario supply chain
Officials say the project is a crucial step in Ontario’s strategy to connect its mineral-rich north with the province’s established automotive manufacturing industry in the south. By building capacity to refine cobalt locally, Ontario hopes to strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and secure its position as a leader in clean energy technology.
NEW: Electra Battery Materials is investing nearly $100M to establish North America’s first battery grade cobalt refinery in Temiskaming Shores.
As we build a more resilient and self-reliant economy, Electra’s investment will establish an integral link in the province’s critical… pic.twitter.com/HUVEFn4BzN
— Victor Fedeli (@VictorFedeli) September 12, 2025
Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, said the investment will help Ontario stand strong in the face of global trade uncertainty.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is building a strong, self-reliant economy that integrates Northern Ontario’s vast mineral wealth with Southern Ontario’s manufacturing might,” Fedeli said. “Electra’s investment in Temiskaming Shores will establish an integral link in the province’s critical mineral processing supply chains and fuel the next stages of Ontario’s leadership in electric vehicle battery manufacturing.”
Industry welcomes the move
Electra Battery Materials CEO Trent Mell said the support from Ontario is a sign of confidence in the project’s long-term value.
“This support from Invest Ontario is a key endorsement of the strategic importance of our refinery, not just for the province, but for Canada and North America as a whole,” Mell said. “Together, we are reducing reliance on offshore supply, enabling a cleaner energy future, and strengthening Ontario’s position as a hub for battery materials innovation.”
Once in operation, the refinery is expected to provide jobs for local workers in Temiskaming Shores and create opportunities for suppliers and businesses across the region. The project also underscores the economic role Northern Ontario will play as global demand for EV batteries accelerates.
A Northern advantage
Northern Ontario is rich in critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, and platinum — all vital to the production of EVs, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics. By building processing capacity locally, the province aims to ensure these resources are refined at home rather than shipped abroad.
George Pirie, Ontario’s Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth, emphasized the importance of this regional investment.
“Building manufacturing capabilities for domestically sourced resources secures supply chains and strengthens the province at a critical time of economic uncertainty,” Pirie said. “A prosperous North is integral for a prosperous Ontario, and this new facility brings good jobs and opportunities that underscore the economic potential of investing in Northern Ontario.”
Part of a $200B infrastructure and jobs plan
The cobalt refinery project is one piece of a broader provincial strategy to build a resilient economy. Through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, the Critical Minerals Strategy, and the $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund, Ontario is investing heavily in projects that aim to protect jobs, grow industries, and prepare the workforce for the future.
Khawar Nasim, CEO of Invest Ontario, said Electra’s project is a milestone for the province’s clean energy ambitions.
“Critical minerals are key to securing Ontario’s leadership in clean energy technologies, and advancing their development and processing is a priority for us,” Nasim said. “Once operational, Electra’s refinery will mark a significant step towards the province’s goal of building a complete, made-in-Ontario critical mineral supply chain.”
Looking ahead
With global demand for EV batteries surging and one in five new jobs in Ontario projected to be in skilled trades or related fields by 2028, the Temiskaming Shores facility is being viewed as a cornerstone of Ontario’s future economy.
For Northern Ontario, the $100 million investment represents more than new infrastructure — it signals a long-term role in shaping Canada’s clean energy future, creating sustainable jobs, and ensuring that Ontario remains competitive in the face of shifting global trade dynamics.
Follow GTA Today on social media for more local business and economy news. #GTAToday
