Critical Resources (ASX:CRR) brings in Pathway Group to drive Mavis Lake lithium ambitions

Critical Resources has moved to deepen its presence in the Canadian critical minerals landscape by appointing Pathway Group, one of Canada’s most established government relations and public affairs firms, to support the advancement of the Mavis Lake Lithium Project in Ontario.

The engagement is framed around advocacy, permitting support, access to government funding and financing, and broader stakeholder engagement for what the company describes as its flagship lithium asset.

Highlights

• Appointment of Pathway Group, a leading Canadian government relations firm, to support permitting, unlock government funding opportunities, and strengthen stakeholder relationships.
• Mavis Lake hosts an 8Mt @ 1.07% Li₂O JORC Inferred Mineral Resource, reported at a 0.30% Li₂O cut off grade for an open pit mining scenario, with more than 58,000 metres drilled since 2022.
• The Mavis Lake district scale landholding exceeds 400 km², with over 31 new LCT pegmatite discoveries.
• Immediate access to the Trans Canada Highway, all season roads, the national rail network, clean hydroelectric power and natural gas pipelines.
• Agreement in Principle with the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation, along with ongoing technical and baseline environmental studies.

Under the arrangement, Pathway Group will provide Critical Resources with strategic counsel and support engagement with Canadian federal and provincial governments, relevant agencies and key policymakers.

The firm will also offer guidance on government funding and financing, commercial and Indigenous partnerships, and enhanced visibility within Canada for the Mavis Lake Lithium Project.

Supporting the company will be a team led by former Ontario Cabinet Minister and Mayor of Thunder Bay, Bill Mauro, and Pathway Group Vice President of Business Development, Al MacDermid, whose experience spans senior advisory roles in provincial and federal governments, campaign management and regulatory work across Canada.

The broader Pathway Group team and associates are described as offering insight into Ontario’s critical minerals policy and permitting processes, with a track record in securing funding, facilitating regulatory approvals and building strategic relationships.

Critical Resources states that this combined expertise is expected to accelerate permitting, unlock government funding opportunities and strengthen the relationships considered essential for project success.

Mavis Lake is presented as a strategic asset for the North American lithium supply chain.

The project carries a maiden JORC Inferred Mineral Resource of 8Mt @ 1.07% Li₂O, with more than 58,000 metres drilled since 2022 and an established Exploration Target.

Strategically located in northwestern Ontario, Mavis Lake is situated within the Archean Greenstone Belt and hosts high grade, hard rock spodumene pegmatites, while the district scale landholding now exceeds 400 km² and includes over 31 new LCT pegmatite discoveries.

Infrastructure is a central feature of the development case, with the project having immediate access to the Trans Canada Highway, all season roads and the national rail network, providing logistics and export pathways to US and international customers.

Clean hydroelectric power and natural gas pipelines are cited as supporting low emission, sustainable operations, while technical and baseline environmental studies are underway, leveraging these infrastructure advantages to fast track permitting and development.

Federal and Provincial governments continue to prioritise critical minerals through funding and streamlined permitting, and an Agreement in Principle with the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation is intended to ensure that the project aligns with community values and environmental stewardship.

Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director Tim Wither said:

‘Engaging Pathway Group is a critical step in moving Mavis Lake forward. Their expertise in advocacy and stakeholder relations will ensure the Mavis Lake project is well positioned as Canada and North America advance their critical minerals strategy.’

In the company’s own framing, the partnership with Pathway Group underpins a commitment to establishing Mavis Lake as a cornerstone for Canada’s and North America’s lithium supply chain, with coordinated engagement efforts to be undertaken alongside continuing permitting, resource expansion and development planning activities at the project.

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