Frontier Lithium prepares for Junction Rd. construction

Executive Summary

• Frontier Lithium provided a progress update on infrastructure projects for its PAK lithium project in Northwestern Ontario, supported by Natural Resources Canada's Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (CMIF).
• The company secured up to approximately $6.1 million in non-repayable contribution funding in March 2025 for two key initiatives: an all-season road (Junction Road) and a clean energy project (substation and transmission line).
• Frontier anticipates allocating up to an additional $8.9 million by 2028 for these projects and intends to apply for reimbursement of 50% of eligible costs under the CMIF program.

Key Details

• Funding Secured: Up to ~$6.1 million in non-repayable contribution funding finalized in March 2025 under the CMIF.
• Project 1: All-Season Road (Junction Road):
  • Scope: Preconstruction engineering, design, permitting, and environmental studies for ~56 km of a two-lane all-season road connecting the PAK project to Ontario's provincial highway network.
  • 2026 Plan: Complete consultation, remaining 20% engineering plans, designate preferred route, and finish permitting under Ontario's One Project One Process Framework.
  • 2026 Cost: Estimated $2.6 million.
  • Target: Enable construction to begin as early as 2027.
• Project 2: PAK Clean Energy Project:
  • Scope: Engineering, design, and permitting for a substation and transmission line to integrate the PAK project into the Wataynikaneyap power grid.
  • 2026 Cost: Estimated $2.9 million.
  • Activities: Complete technical upgrade assessments, environmental assessments, permitting for on-lease infrastructure, and remaining geotechnical drilling.
  • Context: Works align with the Province of Ontario's October announcement regarding the twinning of power lines to Red Lake, Ont., to support new mining projects.
• Total Investment: Over $3 million invested in 2024 and 2025; up to an additional $8.9 million anticipated by 2028.
• Reimbursement Strategy: Frontier intends to apply to Stream 2 under the CMIF program to be reimbursed for 50% of eligible costs for both projects.
• Strategic Context: PAK is recognized as one of Ontario's largest and highest-grade lithium resources, forming the foundation for a mine-to-chemical operation for EV and energy storage markets.

Notable Quotes

• Trevor Walker, President and CEO: "Road and power investments are generational infrastructure, not just for the PAK lithium project, but also for others within the region, including local and indigenous communities. As we advance permitting and preconstruction, we are ensuring benefits flow regionally while Canada strengthens a secure, domestic critical minerals supply chain."
• Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources: "Building the infrastructure needed to unlock Canada's critical minerals potential is essential to getting Canadian minerals to markets, which will diversify our trade, strengthen our economic and national security and sovereignty, create good domestic jobs, and support the clean energy transition. Through the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, our new government is investing in roads and clean power that not only help move projects like Frontier's PAK lithium project toward production, but create significant benefits for the communities around these projects."