It was through a press release that the company confirmed everything on Friday morning. The construction of the facilities should start in 2028.
“We are really excited to have reserved our space at the port of Saguenay and we are really aligned with Quebec and Canadian policies, that is to export to Europe and transform the other half in Saguenay,” later highlighted the executive vice-president of First Phosphate, David Dufour.
Phosphoric acid is a very important element in the battery sector as well as the food industry.
David Dufour adds that Quebec government investments in Port Saguenay have made the difference. “We now have land ready to build.”
Political reactions
“I am delighted with this announcement: it is a major project for both the region, but also for all of Quebec. Today, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is a place in the battery sector and not the least. This project is an emblem of sustainable economic development and is part of our desire to promote projects that work on the energy transition, “immediately underlined Mario Simard, the deputy of Jonquière.
If the blocist was one of the first to rejoice, it was not by chance. He and his colleagues mobilized, in Ottawa, so that phosphate was added to the list of critical minerals.
His counterpart Jeannois, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, was also very happy. “This is very good news that meets the socioeconomic needs of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. In terms of natural resources, our region has the power to be a figurehead in terms of energy transition. By betting on the phosphate industry, it is a way of getting there, while ensuring the diversification of our regional economic, “he said.
The conservative deputy for Chicoutimi-Le Fjord, Richard Martel, has spoken “a step in the right direction”.
“Our region has enormous industrial potential thanks to the abundance of critical minerals, such as the phosphate that I defended from my first mandate,” he put forward, having an arrow on his regional colleagues from Ottawa. “If the block really cared about the development of our resources, it would cease to support liberal policies which only discourage major projects by increasing paperwork and deadlines,” he continued in his declaration.
Caquis deputies also rejoiced, promising at the same time to continue efforts to improve the installations of Port Saguenay.
“We continue the work so that our infrastructure is efficient for the attractiveness of the port and the surrounding communities. We remain proactive and positive for our region, “said the Minister responsible for the region, Andrée Laforest, as well as François Tremblay, deputy of Dubuc.
Finally, the mayor of Saguenay, Julie Dufour, noted the central role of the city in the development of the critical mineral sector in the country. “This project is part of our ambition to make Saguenay an essential economic pole in northeast Canadian.”
