The decision by Nemasca Lithium to turn to Beaconcore to set up its commercial high-purity lithium plant was not approved at all in Shavinigan.
Also read: North American Lithium: Placed in Comptroller Notice
Also read: Nemaska turned its back on Lithium Shavinigan
Also read: Quebec did not win the fight for lithium control
“Taking today’s statement is a very difficult blow,” Shavinigan Mayor Michelle Angers said at a news conference.
Mayor Angers made the arrival of Nemaska to his town a personal matter. He convinced the company in 2015 to set up a former Laurentide paper factory.
The reasons given by the new partners, including Investment Quebec, for transferring the company to Beaconcore did not convince the elected official. He argued that the presence of a deep-water port was not a real benefit to the center-du-Quebec city, in particular, that the ore would be transported to the plant by train.
The promoters argue that the available vacancies provide a good potential for expansion in Beaconcore. Another argument refuted by Mitchell Angers is that a large-scale Alain-Asseline industrial park is available in Shavinigan.
“I will not hide from you that I am deeply disappointed and frustrated for not using other words, without courtesy. I certainly do not accept Nemaska’s lithium claims,” he said.
Financially, Michelle Angers believes the Legalt government is “now indebted to someone Shavinigan”.
CAQ MP Donald Martell assured us that Beaconcore’s selection was done according to the rules of art. “For me, I know that Mr. FitzGibbon has instructed the public to evaluate the best potential site and this has been done impartially,” Nicolette-Beckencore assured the spokesman.
The mayor of Beaconcore is also trying to calm things down. “I spoke to Michelle Angers this morning and I don’t particularly want us to turn this into a city fight. This is not a city fight, “said Jean-Guy Dubois.
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