The plant is the first of its kind built by Umicore in Europe and comes as the European Union is trying to develop EV battery manufacturing in the bloc.
The C$107 million-acquisition ($82m) gives the miner access to the Chidliak diamond project in Canada, which hosts at least 74 kimberlites, eight of which are potentially economic.
The key US coal export hub of Hampton Roads, Virginia, has halted operations as damage to ships and infrastructure seem inevitable, analysts at Wood Mackenzie said Thursday.
Partners may lose their right to develop the Mt Holland lithium project after a recommendation by a unit of the West Australian government that regulates mining leases.