EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Canadian government has announced over $1.2 million in federal funding to upgrade approximately 20 kilometres of access road serving the Shaakichiuwaanaan lithium project in northern Quebec. Led by Lithium Innova Inc., a subsidiary of PMET Resources Inc., the project aims to improve year-round access to lithium, caesium and tantalum resources.
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The Government of Canada has announced a federal investment of over $1.2 million to improve road access to the Shaakichiuwaanaan lithium mining project in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James region of northern Quebec. The funding was announced on 28 October 2026 by Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, through Natural Resources Canada's First and Last Mile Fund (FLMF). Shaakichiuwaanaan is identified as one of the world's largest lithium resources.
The project is being led by Lithium Innova Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PMET Resources Inc. The investment will support the rehabilitation and upgrading of approximately 20 kilometres of existing access road connecting the Trans-Taiga road to the Shaakichiuwaanaan mining site. The work is intended to improve access to the mineral deposit and support the movement of people and equipment between the highway, project camp and mining site.
Shaakichiuwaanaan contains significant deposits of lithium, caesium and tantalum. These minerals are used in batteries, energy storage systems, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. The road improvements are expected to strengthen safety and reliability while providing dependable year-round access to the remote site.
The investment forms part of Canada's efforts to develop critical mineral resources and improve infrastructure in mining regions. According to Natural Resources Canada, transportation infrastructure is necessary to advance resource development, support remote communities and move minerals to domestic and international markets. The government also expects such investments to contribute to employment, economic security and supply chain development.
PMET Resources President, CEO and Managing Director Ken Brinsden welcomed the federal contribution, identifying infrastructure as an important requirement for bringing a new mine into production. He also referred to Shaakichiuwaanaan's inclusion in the Canada Investment Summit Prospectus as recognition of the project's potential contribution to Canada's critical minerals supply chains.
The First and Last Mile Fund is supported by $1.5 billion in federal funding announced under Budget 2025. The programme focuses on infrastructure supporting new mines and economic growth in mining regions, with priority given to projects that improve the movement of Canadian resources to customers.
The fund also provides dedicated support for Indigenous leadership, engagement and participation in the mining value chain, recognising that many critical mineral deposits and related infrastructure projects are located on Indigenous territories.
The investment is aligned with the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, which aims to develop domestic mineral resources and associated value chains supporting advanced technologies, manufacturing and the transition to a low-carbon economy.