Historic Collaboration: First Nations Partner with Positive Materials Inc. for Project Positive+
“Today, the Upgi’Ganjig First Nation, the Pabineau First Nation and Positive Materials Inc. signed a Business Partnership Framework Agreement. The partners agreed to work together and to share the economic benefits of Project Positive+, an initiative to evaluate, to plan and, if feasible, to develop a precursor cathode active materials manufacturing facility currently under consideration at the Port of Belledune.
“Project Positive+ aims to build a state‐of‐the‐art precursor cathode active materials (pCAM) production facility in the Port of Belledune, New Brunswick. pCAM is the foundation or “positive heart” of the lithium‐ion batteries that power today’s electric vehicles and myriad other transportation devices (electric bicycles, boats and even airplanes), supports renewable energy storage capacity, and all kinds of consumer electronics (portable phones, drones, power tools, flashlights, etc.). The principal target market is the Canadian and US electric vehicle industry, which is expected to quadruple in size by 2030 and requires large quantities of pCAM – approximately 1.28 million tonnes per annum, according to market analysts.
Marco Romero (CEO) “When we first set foot in the Belledune area in 2022, we went directly to the local First Nations, before talking to anyone else. We wanted to be respectful and considerate to the people who have resided on this land for thousands of years. We introduced ourselves, shared our vision and asked for their advice. In August 2023, after numerous “cups of tea”, as a wise man said to us, we all decided to sign a Cooperation Agreement that would allow us to jointly and openly conduct a due diligence and evaluation exercise, to determine whether Project Positive+ might be doable in Belledune. The process was enjoyable, very professional and productive. It allowed us to build a comfortable and dynamic relationship. It eventually led us to agree to form a business partnership with the two communities on whose traditional territory Project Positive+ is situated.
An Agreement was signed October 10th, 2024.”
- LinkedIn post: Richardson, James. “October 10th, 2024, Eel River Bar, New Brunswick.” LinkedIn, October 10, 2024: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/james-richardson-238060207_october-10th-2024-eel-river-bar-new-brunswick-activity-7250475186402004992-bA2T?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
“Pabineau First Nation is excited to have POS+ as a partner as we move into the world of electric batteries. Signing this first agreement puts Pabineau and Eel River Bar in the equity opportunity for this project as it moves forward. We look forward to continuing to move this project with our partners.” - Chief Terry Richardson