Rock Tech Lithium and Siemens Canada have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to establish a long-term strategic partnership aimed at developing advanced lithium conversion capacity in Canada, centred on the planned Red Rock converter project in Ontario.
The agreement, announced during the Canadian Critical Minerals Forum hosted by Natural Resources Canada at PDAC 2026 in Toronto, focuses on applying Siemens’ digitalisation technologies, including Digital Twin systems, throughout the design, construction and operation of the lithium processing facility.
The Red Rock converter will be developed using the engineering blueprint of Rock Tech’s fully permitted Guben lithium converter project in Germany. By replicating the design, the company aims to accelerate development timelines, reduce technical risks and improve capital efficiency while moving toward a final investment decision in Canada.
The planned facility is expected to produce up to 32,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually, enough to supply battery materials for roughly 900,000 electric vehicles each year. Once operational, the plant would become Ontario’s first lithium conversion facility and a key component of Canada’s emerging battery materials supply chain.
Rock Tech said the project will form part of a vertically integrated supply chain alongside its Georgia Lake lithium mining project, creating a regional “rock-to-battery” corridor within Ontario.
Under the partnership, Siemens will deploy its Digital Twin technology to model process design, energy use and material flows across the entire project lifecycle. The digital system is intended to optimise plant efficiency, emissions performance and operational reliability before major capital investments are committed.
The collaboration also reflects growing strategic cooperation between Canada and Germany on critical minerals supply chains. Officials said the Red Rock project aligns with priorities under the G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance and could serve as a reference model for future lithium conversion facilities in allied markets.
The partnership will be implemented in multiple phases, beginning with the integration of digital technologies into feasibility and engineering studies. The companies will also explore additional Siemens services and potential joint funding opportunities with Natural Resources Canada, the Government of Ontario and bilateral Canadian-German programmes.
Canadian Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson said initiatives such as the Red Rock project demonstrate how G7 partners are moving from policy commitments to concrete investments aimed at building secure and sustainable critical mineral supply chains.
