Rio Tinto takes majority control of Nemaska Lithium in Canada

Canada

MONTRéAL, February 18, 2026 – Rio Tinto has brought its ownership stake in Canadian mining company Nemaska Lithium to 53.9% and assumed direct management responsibilities, Rio Tinto announced on Tuesday.

The controlling stake comes as a result of equity investments carried out since March 2025 in Nemaska Lithium by Rio Tinto and the Government of Québec, which will hold the remaining 46.1% of the company through Investissement Québec.

Montréal-based Nemaska Lithium operates a lithium hydroxide plant in Bécancour and the Whabouchi spodumene mine in Eeyou Istchee James Bay. Rio Tinto acquired a 50% stake in the company through the USD acquisition of integrated lithium and chemicals producer Arcadium in March 2025.

Rio Tinto and the Government of Québec will continue funding the development of the lithium hydroxide plant in Bécancour, where engineering works have been completed, and construction was at 60% completion at year-end 2025. Commissioning of the facility is planned for 2026, with first production expected in 2028.

Rio Tinto stated it plans to invest more than USD 300 million in 2026 towards development, while the Government of Québec will contribute up to USD 200 million through equity subscriptions.

“Rio Tinto’s activities in Québec play an important role in our ambition to take our world-class lithium business to the next level of growth and performance, notably through Nemaska Lithium,” said Rio Tinto Aluminium & Lithium chief executive Jérôme Pécresse.

The company is evaluating spodumene sourcing options for the Bécancour facility, including from Nemaska’s Whabouchi mine and Rio Tinto’s wholly owned Galaxy mine, also in James Bay.

Photo courtesy of Nemaska Lithium