Saskatchewan Backs Lithium Refining Partnership with EMP Metals, Saltworks
Event summary
- Saskatchewan's Energy and Resources Minister, Chris Beaudry, toured Saltworks Technologies' headquarters in Richmond, BC, on February 17, 2026.
- The visit focused on Saltworks' lithium refining capabilities and the Project Aurora partnership with EMP Metals.
- Project Aurora is a multi-million dollar demonstration program validating a scalable lithium refining solution.
- The project is supported by the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive (SCMII), announced September 17, 2025.
- EMP Metals holds over 205,000 net acres (83,000 hectares) of subsurface dispositions and strategic wellbores in Southern Saskatchewan.
The big picture
This event highlights Saskatchewan's ambition to become a significant player in the North American lithium supply chain. The government's active support for Project Aurora, through both financial incentives and direct engagement, underscores the province’s commitment to attracting investment and fostering a favorable regulatory environment for critical mineral development. The partnership between EMP Metals and Saltworks represents a bet on direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, which is increasingly viewed as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional brine processing.
What we're watching
- Government Support
- Continued government support, as demonstrated by the SCMII, will be crucial for Project Aurora's success and may signal broader provincial investment in lithium extraction.
- Technology Validation
- The effectiveness of Saltworks’ Generation II lithium refining system in Project Aurora will determine its viability for wider commercial deployment and influence EMP Metals’ long-term strategy.
- Scaling Challenges
- The ability to scale Project Aurora’s demonstrated refining solution beyond the demonstration phase will be a key indicator of EMP Metals’ operational capabilities and its competitive positioning.
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