Latest news with #GovernmentFunding
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Electra Commences Early Works to Support Restart of North America's Only Cobalt Refinery
TORONTO, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) ('Electra' or the 'Company') announces the launch of an early works program at its cobalt refinery north of Toronto, reaffirming the Company's commitment to onshoring North America's critical minerals processing and building a resilient, domestic battery materials supply chain. The early works program encompasses targeted site-level activities designed to prepare for the restart of full-scale construction. The initiative reflects growing momentum around the project, supported by strategic funding from both the U.S. and Canadian governments. The work, budgeted at approximately C$750,000, is particularly focused on advancing the solvent extraction facility. 'The early works program represents a critical step in transitioning the refinery site back to construction mode,' said Mark Trevisiol, Vice President, Projects at Electra. 'By focusing on key infrastructure, particularly in the SX area, we are ensuring the site is ready for a seamless ramp-up as soon as full funding is in place.' Work scheduled over the summer will focus on advancing high-priority activities in the solvent extraction (SX) area, which is a key component of Electra's hydrometallurgical refining circuit. Crews will relocate and install SX processing equipment previously delivered to site, pour reinforced concrete bases for the SX tanks, and complete structural roofing work on the SX building. In parallel, tender preparation and engineering support activities will proceed to facilitate the transition to full construction. These works follow a C$200,000 investment earlier this year into the septic, power and lighting systems, as well as the recent delivery and placement of the site's prefabricated electrical house, all further enhancing construction readiness. 'This project reflects our disciplined approach to advancing the refinery project,' said Electra CFO, Marty Rendall. 'The early works program enables us to build critical infrastructure and maintain project momentum while we work to finalize the remaining elements of our funding package.' The early works initiative is partially supported by a US$20 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Production Act, announced in August 2024. This funding underscores the strategic role of Electra's refinery in strengthening domestic industrial capacity and securing North America's critical minerals supply chain. The project has also received support from Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund. 'Our early works program is a clear signal: Electra is not standing still,' said Trent Mell, CEO of Electra. 'The early works program lays the physical and operational groundwork to accelerate into full construction. We are confident in our project and its strategic importance. Preparing for the final leg of construction is a reaffirmation of our commitment to delivering North America's only battery-grade cobalt refinery.' Electra's refinery is the only project in North America designed to produce battery-grade cobalt sulfate at scale. By integrating advanced hydrometallurgical processing and pursuing low-carbon production pathways, Electra is redefining how critical minerals are refined, offering a cleaner, traceable alternative to overseas supply chains. Following a temporary pause in construction in 2023, Electra has continued to make strategic progress toward completing the remaining financing needed to bring the cobalt sulfate refinery into full commercial operation. With foundational funding already secured, including significant contributions from both the U.S. and Canadian governments, the Company is actively advancing complementary funding initiatives to support project completion. Backed by strong government endorsements and the refinery already significantly advanced, Electra expects it will be able to finalize the balance of the financing required to move the refinery into production. About Electra Battery Materials Electra is a leader in advancing North America's critical minerals supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. Currently focused on developing North America's only cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra is executing a phased strategy to onshore critical minerals refining and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. In addition to establishing the cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra's strategy includes nickel refining and battery recycling. Growth projects include integrating black mass recycling at its existing refining complex, evaluating opportunities for cobalt production in Bécancour, Quebec, and exploring nickel sulfate production potential in North America. For more information, please visit ContactHeather SmilesVice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Electra Battery Materialsinfo@ Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, 'forward-looking statements') within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as 'plans', 'expects', 'estimates', 'intends', 'anticipates', 'believes' or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might', 'occur' or 'be achieved'. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the bases for assumptions with respect to the potential for additional government funding are discussions and indications of support from government actors based on certain milestones being achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set forth in the management discussion and analysis and other disclosures of risk factors for Electra Battery Materials Corporation, filed on SEDAR+ at and on EDGAR at Other factors that could lead actual results to differ materially include changes with respect to government or investor expectations or actions as compared to communicated intentions, and general macroeconomic and other trends that can affect levels of government or private investment. Although the Company believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
RNZ News
07-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Expanded Lower Hutt medical centre to cater for 'daylight hours'
The Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre will move to the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre at the end of July. Photo: RNZ / Ruth Hill A former birthing centre in Lower Hutt, which was controversially mothballed four years ago due to lack of funding, will house an expanded after-hours medical service. Lower Hutt After-Hours Medical Centre - the only drop-in clinic for more than 100,000 Hutt Valley residents - is often forced to close its doors early to new patients, because it is unable to see everyone before 10pm closing time. Manager Mark O'Connor said the shift to new premises at the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre at the end of July would help alleviate some of the pressure. "The new clinic has 10 consultancy rooms, instead of the three-and-a-half we have now, and its waiting room is triple the size," he said. "Patients may still have to wait, but at least they won't be queuing in the wind and the rain, as they are now sometimes." The centre had also received Government funding to extend its opening hours to "daylight hours" during the week. Currently, its hours are limited to 5.30-10pm, Monday to Friday, and 8-10pm on weekends and public holidays. From late this year or early next year, it was planned to open from 8am every day. "Until now, Hutt Valley has been the only metropolitan area without daytime urgent care, so that's a big change," he said. "We never had the facility before here. "If you know our old building, we would never have been able to cope with that during the day, but with this new facility, it gives us that opportunity. We just have to resource it." Recruitment of additional staff could be a challenge, but the attraction of a new clinic would help with that. Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre is leaving its current cramped premises next month. Photo: RNZ / Ruth Hill "We need to close at 10pm, because most of my doctors are working at practices during the day, so we can't keep them too long." The new clinic was also upstairs from a radiology centre, which meant patients with suspected fractures would no longer need to go to Hutt Hospital's emergency department. Frustrated patients have taken to social media to complain about the clinic closing early. One woman - who was turned away last Friday, after trying to get an appointment with her own GP all week - said the doctor shortage was the biggest barrier. "If they can fit more people into the premises, but they don't have more doctors to do the hours, then they're going to have the same problems." A plan to turn the old Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre into a special care unit was developed when Labour was in power and was heavily supported by then-MP Chris Bishop. The birthing centre, which was owned by a charitable trust, closed in 2021. Te Whatu Ora took over the facility and planned to open a first-of-its-kind transitional care unit for sick babies in 2023, but this never happened. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
CBC
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Regina daycare looks to community to stay afloat
Prairie Lily Early Learning Centre in Regina is struggling financially, so they are turning to fundraising to stay operating. Its executive director joined The Morning Edition to talk about the uneven government funding model and their fundraising efforts.
CTV News
11-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Province announces $25 million in funding for Olds College upgrades in apprentice training
Alberta Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney announced $25 million in funding for Olds College Friday. (Photo: X@RajanSaw)
