Mangrove Lithium Opens North America’s First Commercial Electrochemical Lithium Refining Facility

DELTA, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 17, 2026--

Mangrove Lithium announced the opening of its first commercial lithium refining facility in Delta, British Columbia – the first of its kind in North America – marking a major milestone in establishing a secure, domestic lithium supply chain for Canada and the North American market.

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Mangrove marked the milestone with a ribbon cutting at its new headquarters and site of the Single Stack Plant (SSP), in Delta, British Columbia. Speakers included Mangrove Lithium CEO and Founder Dr. Saad Dara, Federal Minister and Member of Parliament for Delta Jill McKnight, InBC Chief Investment Officer Thomas Park, and Delta Mayor George Harvie, with BC Premier David Eby providing a video message recognizing the achievement and the importance of domestic lithium processing in Canada’s energy transition.

A First for North America and a Milestone for Canadian Energy Security

The commissioning of the plant represents a critical step in establishing a Canadian-based, scalable refining pathway that can support the continent’s electrification goals.

Mangrove’s facility uses the company’s proprietary electrochemical technology to convert extracted lithium into battery-grade material more economically, flexibly, and sustainably than incumbent chemical methods. With a 1,000 tonne-per-year (1 ktpa) nameplate capacity, the plant can produce enough battery-grade lithium to support approximately 25,000 electric vehicles per year.

Today, the majority of global lithium refining takes place overseas, creating bottlenecks and adding volatility to supply chains. This reliance poses significant challenges to North American energy security as EV adoption accelerates and jurisdictions race to localize battery and critical mineral supply.

Foundation for Canada’s First Mine-to-Cathode Lithium Supply Chain

The Delta facility's commercial launch is the foundation for a more ambitious step: Mangrove has announced plans for a facility in Eastern Canada that will expand Canada’s lithium supply through a spodumene processing and lithium refining operation. The new facility will be able to supply 500,000 EVs annually. To advance the Eastern Canada facility, engineering and spodumene piloting studies are being supported by a conditionally approved contribution funding of up to $21.88 million CAD from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) through its Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (“CMRDD”) Program.

As part of this expansion, Mangrove has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Élévra to secure spodumene feedstock from the North American Lithium (NAL) mine in Quebec, creating a clear pathway towards Canada’s first mine-to-cathode lithium supply chain. This integration allows Canada to capture more value from its natural resources, strengthens domestic battery production capabilities, and enhances national energy resilience.

“This is a landmark moment not just for Mangrove, but for Canada,” said Dr. Saad Dara, CEO and Founder of Mangrove Lithium. “By commissioning the first commercial electrochemical lithium refinery in North America, we are proving that lithium can be refined domestically, sustainably, and competitively. This facility is an important step towards a fully Canadian lithium supply chain, one that strengthens our energy security, accelerates the transition to EVs, and positions Canada as a global leader in critical mineral processing.”

“Canada is leveraging our critical mineral resources – including our lithium – to unlock supply chain security, job creation, and clean energy innovation,” said the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. “Mangrove Lithium’s new headquarters will house North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility – exactly the type of cutting-edge, sovereign Canadian project we need. By supporting projects like these, our new government is advancing Canada’s low-carbon potential, creating new careers, strengthening our security, and creating reliable Canadian jobs in an uncertain time.”

“Across the country, we are seeing the results of Canada’s commitment to building a world‑class critical minerals ecosystem,” said the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. “Mangrove Lithium’s new facility positions Canada as a hub for refining battery‑grade materials right here in Delta, reinforcing our economic security and supporting Canadian innovation. Canada has what the world wants, and we are making strides to use our mineral wealth as a basis to diversify our clean energy opportunities and create stable, long-term careers in British Columbia and beyond.”

“Today’s opening marks a turning point for Canada’s critical minerals value chain,” said the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Delta. “By commissioning North America’s first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility, Mangrove Lithium is helping Canada move from raw potential to real production—here at home. This project strengthens our energy security, supports good Canadian jobs, and advances a Made-in-Canada battery supply chain that will power the clean economy and deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.”

About Mangrove Lithium

Mangrove Lithium is a lithium refining technology company headquartered in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, with a mission to build scalable, battery-grade lithium production across North America and beyond. The Company has developed a patented electrochemical refining technology that converts diverse feedstocks into high-purity battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate. Mangrove’s platform enables economic lithium production and is designed to integrate seamlessly into upstream and downstream supply chains. Backed by Canada Growth Fund, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation, Asahi Kasei, Orion Industrial Ventures, Export Development Canada and BDC Capital, Mangrove Lithium is advancing lithium infrastructure to meet the global demand for secure, domestic battery production. Learn more at www.mangrovelithium.com.

Mangrove's electrochemical lithium refining facility ribbon cutting ceremony in Delta, B.C. Pictured from L to R: InBC Chief Investment Officer Thomas Park, Mangrove Lithium CEO Saad Dara, Delta MP Jill McKnight, and Delta Mayor, George V. Harvie. Photo by Avrinder Dhillon/Mangrove Lithium

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Two men were disqualified from one of South Africa's flagship marathon races after they finished in the top 10 of the women's race in an example of cheating that has overshadowed the performance of honest runners.

Their attempt at swapping bibs, which bear the identification numbers worn by racers, resulted in two women runners initially finishing outside the top 10 in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on April 12.

The annual Two Oceans race is one of South Africa’s iconic marathons and includes a 56-kilometer (34.7-mile) ultramarathon and a 21.1-kilometer (13.1-mile) half-marathon. The event attracts over 16,000 participants and finishing among the top 10 is a significant achievement for most runners.

The two men, Luke Jacobs and Nic Bradfield, finished seventh and 10th. They were disqualified after a marathon board member uncovered the deception. The women runners who had been bumped were subsequently recognized for their legitimate finishes.

Jacobs and Bradfield will face disciplinary processes by the marathon’s disciplinary subcommittee, said Two Oceans Marathon board member Stuart Mann, who helped uncover the deception.

Exchanging bibs with another marathoner has become more common while also carrying far-reaching consequences, Mann said.

“Not only is it considered unethical, but it also poses health and medicals risks in case of an emergency as wrong medication may be administered to a wrong person,” Mann said.

Swapping numbers can result from different motivations, Mann explained. For some, it is done to avoid losing money if they are injured or for some other unexpected reason can’t run the race. For others, the deceptive practice allows them to obtain a faster time to use for qualifying in a future race.

Mann was tipped off to one of the swaps after Jacobs posted pictures of himself at the race on social media and people noticed his bib displayed the name “Larissa.”

After further investigation, Mann learned Jacobs competed using a bib assigned to Larissa Parekh, who was registered to compete in the women's race.

“I made an error in judgment and did not consider the consequences. I should not have taken part,” Jacobs said in a written apology.

Jacobs and Bradfield were also tripped up by modern sports technology. Race officials watched the first 10 women cross the finish line, but data from chips in the bibs indicated two other women also had crossed, although they were not observed by the officials.

The discrepancy led to the revelation that Bradfield competed with a number belonging to Tegan Garvey, who later admitted to giving up her bib after she suffered a hip problem prior to the race.

“The day before, my hip gave in completely, leaving me unable to even walk. I felt bad as to give up my race entry so my friend ran in my place,” Garvey said.

Parekh did not give a clear explanation for her actions, according to Mann, who said both women have apologized and face two-year bans from the Two Oceans Marathon.

FILE - A colorful collection of shoes cross the starting line at the start of the 2017 Boston Marathon in Hopkinton, Mass., Monday, April 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, file)