Federal ministers tour what could be Ontario's first lithium processing plant in Thunder Bay
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is working on building Ontario's first lithium processing facility. The company says this could make Thunder Bay, Ont., the hub of a multi-billion dollar industry - though questions remain about what consultations will look like with surrounding First Nations.
![Federal ministers tour what could be Ontario's first lithium processing plant in Thunder Bay](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6994533.1697148350!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/avalon-materials.jpg)
![Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, left, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, middle, tour the site of a future lithium processing facility in Thunder Bay, Ont. President Zeeshan Syed of Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. shows the ministers the property's assets. People stand outside by the water.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6994533.1697148350!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/avalon-materials.jpg)
Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. is working on building Ontario's first lithium processing facility. The company says this could make Thunder Bay, Ont., the hub of a multi-billion dollar industry - though questions remain about what consultations will look like with surrounding First Nations.