EMP METALS AND SALTWORKS’ PROJECT AURORA AWARDED $1 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA’S INTEGRATED MARKETPLACE

EMP Metals Corp. and Saltworks Technologies Inc. have secured $1 million in funding through the Government of British Columbia's Integrated Marketplace program, administered by Innovate BC, to advance their Project Aurora lithium refining demonstration. The funding was announced at Saltworks' Richmond headquarters in the presence of Minister Ravi Kahlon and government representatives, underscoring the strategic importance of this initiative to British Columbia's mining technology sector.

The project centers on demonstrating Saltworks' Generation-II lithium refining technology, which promises lower costs, higher purity, and improved recovery rates compared to conventional processing methods. The technology system is being designed and fabricated in British Columbia before deployment to EMP Metals' operational lithium well in Saskatchewan. This approach positions the initiative as a critical minerals testbed designed to validate advanced processing technologies under real operating conditions while supporting pathways toward commercial deployment.

The funding represents significant validation for both companies' technological approach and market positioning. For EMP Metals, which holds over 205,000 net acres of subsurface dispositions in Southern Saskatchewan, the grant strengthens the company's ability to advance its lithium brine resources using direct lithium extraction methods. The partnership with Saltworks creates a fully integrated brine-to-battery-chemicals processing solution that could establish Canada as a more competitive player in the global lithium supply chain.

The project's broader implications extend beyond the immediate technical demonstration. By supporting the commercialization of advanced lithium processing technology, the initiative strengthens British Columbia's clean technology innovation capabilities while potentially reducing environmental impacts associated with traditional lithium processing. The project aligns with Canada's strategic objectives to enhance domestic critical minerals capacity and establish leadership in the clean energy supply chain, particularly as global demand for battery materials continues to accelerate.