Electra and First Nation-Owned Three Fires Group Sign MOU to Recycle Lithium-ion Battery Waste in Ontario

Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the Three Fires Group (“TFG”) to form a joint venture focused on the recycling of lithium-ion battery waste in Ontario underpinned by Electra’s propriety black mass processing capabilities that recover high value elements, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite.

“We are excited by the opportunity to work with the Three Fires Group and solve a pressing challenge of the EV battery supply chain, namely how to recycle and repurpose battery waste,” said Trent Mell, CEO of Electra. “Our joint-venture will pave the way for producers of various lithium-ion batteries and energy storage equipment in Ontario to reduce their waste, reuse high-value and increasingly scarce commodities like nickel and cobalt, and lower carbon emissions in their manufacturing activities.”

Mr. Mell added, “The Three Fires Group has developed an Indigenous leadership position in fostering the transition to clean, sustainable energy through its relationships with federal and provincial agencies and various clean energy providers. Working with the Three Fires Group will allow us to get access to a steady stream of black mass material and address the growing demand for critical minerals.”

“Ontario is quickly emerging as an important centre in the global EV supply chain, potentially providing economic prosperity for generations to come,” said Reggie George, Executive Director – Special Projects and Partnerships with the Three Fires Group. “Critical to this success will be ensuring that all manufacturing activities related to the EV supply chain are carried out sustainably and responsibly. We believe First Nations should be leading the charge in ensuring a circular economy around the transition to EV’s, and we’re proud to be taking the first steps together with Electra.”

Under the joint venture, Electra and the Three Fires Group will collaborate to source and process lithium-ion battery waste generated by manufacturers of current and future battery cells, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. The waste will be processed at a facility to be located in southern Ontario to produce black mass material that will be further refined using Electra’s proprietary hydrometallurgical process at its refinery complex north of Toronto to recover high value elements, including lithium, nickel, copper, manganese, and graphite.