First Phosphate Corp. (CSE:PHOS, OTCQB:FRSPF) announced that it has successfully produced commercial-grade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 18650 format battery cells using critical minerals sourced entirely from North America.
This development marks a step forward in First Phosphate's efforts to establish a localized LFP battery supply chain within the continent, the company said on Monday.
The LFP cathode and anode materials were manufactured using high-purity phosphoric acid derived from igneous phosphate concentrate extracted at the company's Bégin-Lamarche property in Quebec, which was processed at the pilot installations of Prayon Technologies in Belgium.
Iron powder used in the batteries was produced from magnetite concentrate also sourced from the Bégin-Lamarche property and processed by GKN Hoeganaes in Tennessee, the United States.
Lithium carbonate was supplied by Century Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:LCE, OTCQX:CYDVF) from its operations in Nevada, while natural graphite-based active anode material was provided by Nouveau Monde Graphite (TSX-V:NOU, NYSE:NMG) from its operations in Quebec.
The batteries were assembled by Ultion Technologies, a private battery technology company based in Las Vegas.
"Today we demonstrate that North America, and Quebec in particular, possess the full spectrum of critical minerals and industrial capabilities to re-onshore LFP battery cell production," First Phosphate CEO John Passalacqua said in a statement.
"It is important to remember that LFP battery technology originated in North America. Reclaiming this leadership is essential to securing North American energy storage, mobility, data center, robotics, and defense industry infrastructure."
LFP 18650 battery cells are widely used in applications including robotics, automation, military and defense, data centers, telecommunications, medical devices, consumer electronics, and electric mobility.
These batteries can be found in autonomous electronic devices such as drones, robots, laptops, power tools, electric scooters and bicycles, solar storage units, flashlights, digital cameras, diagnostic medical equipment, and backup energy systems.
Canadian-listed shares of First Phosphate were up 8.1% on Monday morning, while its US counterparts gained nearly 5% at US$0.24.