Schneider Electric, Torngat Metals ink rare earth MoU  

Schneider Electric and Torngat Metals announced Wednesday they signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore a strategic industrial partnership to support the development of a resilient rare earth value chain in Canada. 

The partnership is anchored in the development of the Strange Lake rare earth project in Nunavik, with associated infrastructure in Labrador and a planned separation facility in Sept-Îles, Quebec.  

The Strange Lake project is expected to produce both heavy and light rare earth elements essential to permanent magnets used in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. 

The MoU is designed to support an integrated, end-to-end collaboration, connecting upstream resource development, technology integration, and future industrial demand, the companies said.  

It is intended to support the development of a 360° partnership, to support the development of a next-generation mining and processing project, leveraging Schneider’s expertise in electrification, automation, digital systems and sustainable industrial design. 

Strange Lake stands out among North American rare earth projects for its heavy rare earth content, particularly dysprosium and terbium—elements critical to permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and defence technologies. 

An initial study by Quest Rare Minerals pegged indicated resources at Strange Lake’s main B-zone deposit at 278.1 million tonnes at 0.93% total rare earth oxides (TREO); 1.92% zirconium oxide and 0.18% niobium pentoxide. Inferred resources were 214.4 million tonnes of 0.85% TREO, 1.71% zirconium oxide and 0.14% niobium pentoxide. 

The future collaboration represents a concrete step toward a trusted, end-to-end critical minerals value chain, the companies said.  

“This partnership reflects a clear reality: the energy transition depends not only on technology, but on secure and responsible access to critical materials,” Schneider Electric Canada VP Sustainability Frederick Morency said in a news release.  

“With Torngat Metals, we are aiming for a fully integrated approach, from resource to industrial use, that strengthens both project development and long-term supply resilience.” 

The MOU was signed in Paris on the margins of the meeting on financing critical minerals supply chains in G7 and like-minded countries. The announcement was made in the presence of Sébastien Martin, French Minister Delegate for Industry, and Isabella Chan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister at Natural Resources Canada and Canada’s Special Envoy for the Critical Minerals Production Alliance. 

“Strange Lake is designed to become a key player in building a resilient and responsible rare earth supply chain,” Torngat Metals, interim CEO Maryse Bélanger said.  

“Working with Schneider Electric will enable us to integrate world-class industrial technology designed with sustainability in mind in our future operations, while connecting our project to real downstream demand. This is an opportunity to build not just a mine, but a complete, future-ready value chain.”