The City of Greater Sudbury's economic development office is moving fast on the battery electric vehicle (BEV) front to forge a connection between Northern Ontario's mining industry and Southern Ontario's automotive industry.
The city is hosting a two-day conference -- BEV In-Depth:Mines to Mobility -- to bring together key players to advance the concept of a fully integrated battery electric supply chain in Ontario, and across Canada.
The event is scheduled to take place in Sudbury at the Science North venue on May 25 and 26, 2022.
"As automotive manufacturers move to fully electric vehicles by 2040, and battery electric applications in transit and industry make significant strides, including early adoption by the mining sector, this program will explore challenges, opportunities, and required partnerships for the rapidly evolving battery, battery metals and automotive BEV supply chain," said a statement from Sudbury economic development office.
The conference speakers will include François-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. Peter Xavier, Vice President, Glencore Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations, and Glen Watson, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs for Vale North Atlantic Operations and Alex Mulloy, Vale Base Metals BEV program lead are also scheduled to speak.
Organizers said the conference would also explore the current state of the electric vehicle market, along with input from the mining companies that produce the critical minerals required to manufacture the specialized batteries needed in the industry.
"From mines to mobility and where north meets south, this event will forge relationships between leaders in mining, mining supply and services, automotive, battery technology, transportation, green energy, and the investment communities. It is also relevant for government and non-government organizations engaged in developing and implementing policies and tools towards realizing a decarbonized future," said the statement from the organizers.
