Siemens digitalisation tech to be leveraged at Rock Tech Lithium’s Ontario project
Rock Tech Lithium Inc and Siemens Canada Ltd have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) laying the foundation for a long-term, multi-phase strategic partnership to develop state-of-the-art lithium conversion capacity.
The signing took place at the Canadian Critical Minerals Forum hosted by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) during the annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention.
At the core of the partnership is the application of Siemens’ cutting-edge digitalisation technology – in particular digital twin solutions – for the development, construction and operation of Rock Tech’s planned lithium converter in Red Rock, Ontario, they say.
Siemens will bring German industrial and digitalisation expertise to a Canadian flagship project built on the blueprint of the fully permitted, shovel-ready Guben converter in Germany. The public signing underscores the strategic importance of Red Rock for Canada’s efforts to build resilient and sovereign midstream capacity for critical minerals – and reinforces broader Canada-Germany cooperation aligned within the G7 critical minerals supply chain priorities. The parties intend to explore available funding opportunities to support deployment of digital twin technology.
The Red Rock converter will be developed based on the fully permitted and engineered facility in Guben, Germany. By transferring this blueprint to Canada, development timelines can be shortened, technical risks minimised and capital efficiency increased, Rock Tech says. Leveraging the engineering and permitting work completed in Guben materially reduces execution risk and supports a more efficient path toward final investment decision in Canada. The planned production capacity of up to 32,000 t of lithium carbonate equivalent per year would be sufficient to supply up to 900,000 electric vehicles annually.
Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO of Rock Tech Lithium (left), said: “Red Rock will be Ontario’s first lithium conversion facility and is a key project in Canada’s efforts to rapidly establish domestic critical minerals processing capacity. Together with our Georgia Lake mining project, we are creating a fully vertically integrated supply chain from rock to battery-grade lithium. A critical minerals corridor, entirely in Ontario.”
The collaboration with Siemens provides for the deployment of digital twin technology across the entire project lifecycle: from the feasibility study through engineering and construction to operation. Through the virtual, data-driven modelling of processes, energy flows and material streams, Rock Tech can optimise and validate design, efficiency, emissions and operational reliability before committing capital, it claims.
Faisal Kazi, CEO of Siemens Canada (right), said: “Our partnership with Rock Tech is built on a shared commitment to developing stronger and more resilient domestic critical minerals processing capacity. By leveraging our digital twin and industrial digitalisation technologies, we are supporting the development of lithium conversion in Ontario that could ultimately help support stronger battery supply chains within the G7. This collaboration between our two organisations – both at home in Canada and in Germany – underscores our shared vision for energy security, industrial competitiveness, clean growth and creating a blueprint for next-generation facilities worldwide.”
The cooperation is structured in multiple phases, initially focusing on the deployment of digital twin technology during engineering and in the feasibility study. In the medium term, the parties are evaluating additional Siemens solutions, services and engineering support for the Red Rock converter, as well as the potential expansion of the cooperation to further projects in G7 member countries. Joint applications for public funding will be pursued with NRCan, the Government of Ontario, and through Canadian-German cooperation programs.
The post Siemens digitalisation tech to be leveraged at Rock Tech Lithium’s Ontario project appeared first on International Mining.