The sprawling Bashaw district between Calgary and Edmonton now hosts 6.6 million measured tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent.

Lithium supply is heading for a major increase this year as a wave of expansions and new projects get up and running.

Sodium-ion has the potential to complement lithium-ion cells and help fill gaps in the global market.

Other carmakers including BMW, Toyota and GM also have sought to reduce reliance on rare earths.

Europe's biggest carmaker wants its battery unit PowerCo to become a global battery supplier.

UK Seabed Resources holds a 100% interest in two deep sea mineral licences in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.

The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) unveiled by the EU adds the two major industrial metals to a list that had previously focused on more niche minerals.

Canada Nickel also announced it has closed its acquisition of the past-producing Texmont property.