Rock Tech Lithium Receives $283.5M in Funding from Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund
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Rock Tech Lithium has received $283,519 million (CAD$388,074) in funding from Ontario’s Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to support the development of an ore sorting process for low-grade spodumene ores.
This strategic initiative is being conducted in partnership with Queen’s University and Stark Technologies and aims to unlock new economic and environmental value from lithium deposits at Rock Tech’s Georgia Lake Project near Beardmore, Ontario.
The funding will accelerate research and pilot testing of innovative ore sorting solutions that target 80 percent lithium recovery rates from low-grade ores (0.3–0.5 percent Li₂O), traditionally considered uneconomic. The goal is to enhance the viability and sustainability of lithium production in Canada, directly supporting the province’s critical minerals strategy and clean energy transition.
“We’re proud to have the support of the Government of Ontario through the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund,” said Mirco Wojnarowicz, chief executive officer at Rock Tech.
“This project brings together academia, technology, and industry to solve one of the key challenges in lithium production — making lower-grade resources viable. It’s a major step forward for sustainable critical minerals development in Ontario,” added Wojnarowicz.
“Ontario is charging ahead as a global leader in critical minerals — and the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund is powering that momentum,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.
“This project with Rock Tech, Queen’s University, and Stark Technologies is exactly the kind of smart collaboration that moves critical minerals from concept to production — strengthening our supply chains, creating local jobs, and driving clean energy progress. This is how we lead; this is how we win, and this is how we build a stronger Ontario for generations to come,” added Lecce.
Research will be conducted at Queen’s University, with Stark Technologies providing advanced sorting technology and expertise. Rock Tech will supply ore samples, oversee project progress, and guide the path to commercialization.
“The Critical Minerals Processing Lab at Queen’s University is pleased to collaborate with Rock Tech Lithium on this important initiative to advance the Georgia Lake project.” said Charlotte Gibson, assistant professor and associate head, Robert Buchan Department of Mining at Queen’s University.
“We look forward to strengthening our ongoing partnership, combining fundamental and applied research to enhance the industrial processing of low-grade lithium ores,” added Buchan.
Rock Tech has also entered into a revised field exploration agreement with Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Red Rock Indian Band, and Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (collectively, the First Nations Groups) setting out a framework for Rock Tech’s consultation and accommodation activities with the First Nations Groups in connection with exploration activities at the Georgia Lake Project.
Rock Tech’s vision is to supply the electric vehicle and battery industry with sustainable, locally produced lithium, targeting a 100 percent recycling rate. To ensure resilient supply chains, the company plans to build lithium converters at the doorstep of its customers, beginning with the company’s proposed Lithium Hydroxide Converter in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany. The second converter is planned to be built in, Ontario, Canada. Rock Tech Lithium plans to source raw material from its own Georgia Lake spodumene project in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario, Canada, and procure from other ESG-compliant mines. Ultimately, Rock Tech’s goal is to create a closed-loop lithium production system. Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest teams in the industry to close the most pressing gap in the clean mobility story. The company has adopted strict environmental, social and governance standards and is developing a proprietary refining process to increase efficiency and sustainability further.
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