Patriot Battery Metals has provided updates on the advancements in the permitting process for its wholly owned Shaakichiuwaanaan lithium project, situated in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory of Quebec.
Since the initial submission of the Project Description to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) in February 2025, Patriot has actively engaged with both the Federal Joint Assessment Committee and the IAAC.
The collaborative efforts led to the issuance in August 2025 of key documents including the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and various plans for engagement and public participation.
These documents signify the official start of the federal impact assessment phase, which is expected to run concurrently with the provincial permitting process initiated in 2023. This dual-track approach aims to efficiently meet both federal and provincial requirements.
Since the Initial Project Description was provided, the company has collaborated with the Federal Joint Assessment Committee, which includes members from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and the Cree Nation Government.
The IAAC has also carried out its official planning phase and solicited feedback from the public.
Patriot CEO and president Ken Brinsden said: “Within the approvals process to date, engagement with both the Cree, provincial and federal authorities have been constructive and timely.
“Further, we are pleased to see that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is aiming to minimise duplication and ensure full use is made of the work contributing to the Cree and provincial level assessment."
In August 2025, the IAAC released several key documents for the project, including the Customised Impact Statement Guidelines, the Permitting Strategy, the Collaborative Plan, the Indigenous Engagement and Involvement Strategy, and the Strategy for Public Involvement.
Patriot has dedicated roughly three years to comprehensive environmental data collection and community consultations to support the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for both federal and provincial submissions.
With the proactive cooperation of regulatory bodies, the provincial ESIA is scheduled for late 2025, with the federal ESIA to follow soon after.
In an update in March, Patriot Battery Metals shed light on the ongoing feasibility study for the Shaakichiuwaanaan property.
This study, which began in September 2024 and focuses on the CV5 Pegmatite, is integral to the project's ESIA.
