Strange Lake Rare Earth Project
Torngat Metals Ltd is developing a rare earth mining, processing, and separation project at Strange Lake in Nunavik (northern Quebec), with associated infrastructure in Labrador and a separation plant in Sept-Îles, at an estimated capital cost of CAD $2 billion. The project targets both heavy and light rare earth elements, with commissioning targeted for 2030.
The project has secured CAD $165 million in federal government financing from Export Development Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank (June 2025), and received up to CAD $10 million in pre-development funding from the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (December 2024). The feasibility study was completed in the first half of 2026. Environmental impact assessments are targeted for submission in 2026.
Sources: Torngat Metals, project overview; CIB, Strange Lake press release, 23 June 2025; NRCan, CMIF announcement, 20 December 2024; Torngat Metals, CEO transition announcement, 17 March 2026
The project comprises three components: an open-pit mine and concentration plant at Strange Lake in Nunavik; a seasonal access road and port facility connecting the mine to the Labrador coast; and a rare earth separation plant in Sept-Îles, Quebec.
Rare earth concentrates will be transported by road to a port facility at Voisey’s Bay, Labrador, shipped to Sept-Îles during the ice-free season, and processed into high-purity rare earth oxides at the separation plant. Annual production is targeted at approximately 15,000 tonnes of rare earth oxides, with heavy rare earth elements comprising over 50 per cent of output.
Sources: Torngat Metals, project overview; Torngat Metals, separation plant; Torngat Metals, access road and port
| Category |
Information |
| Location |
Strange Lake, Nunavik (Quebec); Sept-Îles separation plant (Quebec); Voisey’s Bay port (Labrador) |
| Proponent |
Torngat Metals Ltd |
| Lead Investor | Cerberus Capital Management (approximately US$60 billion in assets) |
| Capital Cost | CAD $2 billion (of which separation plant approximately CAD $800 million) |
| Annual Production |
Approximately 15,000 tonnes rare earth oxides |
| Product Mix |
Dysprosium, terbium (heavy rare earths); neodymium, praseodymium (light rare earths) |
| Mine Life | Multi-decade operation |
| Status |
Feasibility study completed (March 2026); environmental impact assessments underway |
| Target Commissioning | 2030 |
Development
Torngat Metals was established to develop the Strange Lake project. Cerberus Capital Management invested USD $50 million in Torngat Metals in 2022, described by Torngat as the single largest rare earths investment in Canada.
The company is led by Maryse Bélanger as Chair of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer, and Olga Kovalik as Chief Operating Officer, who joined in April 2025. Yves Leduc served as Chief Executive Officer from March 2025 to March 2026, leading the company through the securing of CAD $165 million in government financing and the completion of the feasibility study. Bélanger was appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer in March 2026 following Leduc's departure. Dr Dirk Naumann, who served as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2018 to 2025, remains with the company as Strategic and Technical Advisor.
Sources: Torngat Metals, Meet the Team; Mining.com, Torngat Metals rare earths project revival, 10 July 2025; Torngat Metals, leadership appointments, 26 March 2025; Torngat Metals, CEO transition, 17 March 2026
Development Stage (September2026)
Status: Feasibility study completed; environmental impact assessments underway
Sources: Torngat Metals, project overview; Mining.com, feasibility study timing, 3 February 2026; Schneider Electric / Torngat Metals MOU, BusinessWire, 10 June 2026; Torngat Metals, CEO transition, 17 March 2026; Naskapi Nation, Pre-Development Agreement, February 2026
| Date |
Milestone |
| 2022 |
Cerberus Capital Management investment (USD $50 million) |
| September 2023 | Initial Project Description submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Nunatsiavut Government |
| December 2023 | Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Environment and Climate Change directs that an environmental impact statement is required |
| 6 June 2024 | Impact Assessment Agency of Canada determines that a federal impact assessment is warranted |
| 2024 |
Environmental and biodiversity surveys conducted |
| 8 November 2024 | Joint Impact Statement Guidelines issued by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Nunatsiavut Government |
| 20 December 2024 |
CAD $10 million Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund contribution announced |
| 26 March 2025 |
Yves Leduc appointed Chief Executive Officer; Olga Kovalik appointed Chief Operating Officer |
| 23 June 2025 |
CAD $165 million government financing secured from Export Development Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank |
| August 2025 | Separation plant project notice submitted to Quebec’s Ministry of Environment (MELCCFP) |
| 26 August 2025 | Offtake memorandum of understanding signed with Vacuumschmelze in Berlin |
| 28 October 2025 | Maryse Bélanger appointed Chair of the Board |
| 5 February 2026 |
Pre-Development Agreement with the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach announced |
| 17 March 2026 |
Maryse Bélanger appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer following Yves Leduc's departure |
| H1 2026 |
Bankable feasibility study completed |
| 10 June 2026 |
Industrial partnership memorandum of understanding signed with Schneider Electric in Paris |
| 2026 (targeted) | Environmental impact assessments submitted |
| Following permitting | Construction start |
| 2030 (targeted) | Commissioning |
Cost Summary
The total project is estimated at CAD $2 billion, of which the separation plant at Sept-Îles represents approximately CAD $800 million.
| Funding Source |
Amount |
Date | Purpose |
| Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund (Natural Resources Canada) |
Up to CAD $10 million | 20 December 2024 | Pre-construction and development activities, including seasonal access road, port facilities, and related infrastructure in Labrador |
| Export Development Canada (bridge loan) |
CAD $110 million |
23 June 2025 | Pre-construction activities |
| Canada Infrastructure Bank (enabling infrastructure loan) | CAD $55 million |
23 June 2025 | Early works including utility connections, airstrip rehabilitation, and infrastructure improvements |
The Export Development Canada loan is described as the institution’s first financing of an early-stage mining project. The Canada Infrastructure Bank loan is described as its first investment in critical minerals.
Sources: Torngat Metals, CMIF announcement, 20 December 2024; Canada Infrastructure Bank, Strange Lake project page; CIB press release, 23 June 2025; Torngat Metals, separation plant; EDC, Torngat Metals financing announcement
Regulatory Status
The project is subject to environmental assessment by three authorities under a coordinated process.
Federal: The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada received the Initial Project Description in September 2023 and determined on 6 June 2024 that a federal impact assessment is warranted. Joint Impact Statement Guidelines were issued on 8 November 2024 in collaboration with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Nunatsiavut Government. The project is recorded on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry under reference number 85969.
Newfoundland and Labrador: The provincial Minister of Environment and Climate Change directed on 14 December 2023 that an environmental impact statement is required. The province is participating in the joint assessment process under registration number 2272.
Quebec (separation plant): A project notice for the Sept-Îles separation plant was submitted to the Quebec Ministry of Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) in August 2025. The environmental impact study for the separation plant site is targeted for completion in 2026.
The feasibility study was completed in the first half of 2026. Torngat Metals is targeting submission of environmental impact assessments in 2026, with construction to begin following issuance of required permits.
Sources: IAAC, Joint Impact Statement Guidelines, 8 November 2024; Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Project 2272; Torngat Metals, separation plant; Torngat Metals, project overview; Torngat Metals, CEO transition, 17 March 2026
Indigenous Participation
The project is located in the traditional territories of Nunavik Inuit communities, Nunatsiavut (Labrador Inuit), Innu Nation, the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach, and NunatuKavut Community Council. Infrastructure components cross multiple Indigenous jurisdictions.
Torngat Metals states it has maintained formal engagement since 2011 with various Indigenous governments and has adopted an Indigenous, Environment, Social and Governance (IESG) approach.
Engagement activities include:
Sources: Torngat Metals, communities; Torngat Metals, access road and port; Torngat Metals, separation plant; IAAC Registry, NunatuKavut submission; Naskapi Nation, Pre-Development Agreement, February 2026; Torngat Metals, Naskapi PDA announcement, 5 February 2026
Project Components
Mine Site and Concentration Plant (Nunavik, Quebec): The open-pit mine at Strange Lake will be served by on-site concentration facilities, a 1,500-metre airstrip, and on-site accommodation. The mine will operate year-round. Torngat Metals expects approximately 200 employees at the mine site, with recruitment priority given to Indigenous communities.
Seasonal Access Road and Port (Quebec to Labrador): A 170-kilometre single-lane seasonal access road will connect the mine site to a new port facility at Voisey’s Bay on the Labrador coast. Approximately 200,000 tonnes of rare earth concentrate per year will be packaged in sealed sea containers and transported by GPS-monitored truck convoys to the port for shipment during the ice-free season. The road is designed for seasonal use, with transport timed to avoid periods when caribou are present.
Rare Earth Separation Plant (Sept-Îles, Quebec): The separation plant will be located in the industrial zone of the port of Pointe-Noire, covering approximately 110 hectares. The plant represents an investment of approximately CAD $800 million and will produce 15,000 tonnes per year of rare earth oxides using sulphation and leaching processes. A closed-circuit system will recycle all process water. Ammonium nitrate, at approximately 55,000 tonnes per year, is produced as a by-product destined for the fertiliser market.
Sources: Torngat Metals, mine site; Torngat Metals, access road and port; Torngat Metals, separation plant
Rare Earth Elements
The project targets the following rare earth elements for use in permanent magnets.
Heavy Rare Earths: Dysprosium and terbium, used in permanent magnets for electric vehicle motors, wind turbine generators, and defence applications. Over 50 per cent of projected output comprises heavy rare earth elements.
Light Rare Earths: Neodymium and praseodymium, used in permanent magnets across a range of industrial, clean energy, and consumer applications.
Current global production of heavy rare earths is concentrated in China, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of supply. There are currently no rare earth mines in operation in Canada.
Sources: Torngat Metals, home page; Mining.com, 1 July 2025
Strategic Partnerships and Offtake
Offtake:
Vacuumschmelze (VAC): Non-binding memorandum of understanding for long-term offtake of separated rare earth oxides, signed 26 August 2025 in Berlin. VAC is described as the sole Western producer of sintered rare earth permanent magnets.
Industrial Partnership:
Schneider Electric: Non-binding memorandum of understanding for a strategic industrial partnership covering electrification, automation, digital systems, and sustainable industrial design, signed 10 June 2026 in Paris on the margins of the G7 High-Level Meeting on Financing Critical Minerals Supply Chains.
Technical and Engineering Partners: (per Torngat Metals’ published partners list)
Sources: Torngat Metals, VAC MOU, 26 August 2025; Schneider Electric / Torngat Metals MOU, BusinessWire, 10 June 2026; Torngat Metals, advisory board and partners
Resources