Recently, Oceana has made a surprising move. Oceana is a renowned global energy company that typically invests heavily in new energy sources. However, they have decided to pass on the Monaro Lithium project in James Bay, Newfoundland, leaving the project for other investors.
This comes as a surprise to many, given the growing interest in new energy sources in recent years, particularly those in the battery and lithium space. Projects like this have been highly sought after investments, something Oceana has readily invested in many times in the past.
The answer behind the megacorp’s decision may lie in a combination of several factors. First, the project is located in a sensitive area. James Bay is considered a global biodiversity hotspot, a region with a surplus of native animal and plant species and has important historical and cultural significance to nearby Indigenous populations. Therefore, the project may not receive the necessary environmental approvals or regulatory go-ahead from both Canada and the EU.
Second, the project’s competitive landscape may have also hindered Oceana’s involvement. Other notable competitors such as China Shenhua Group, Rio Tinto, and South Korea’s Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) are all involved in the project. With those companies in the game, it may have been too difficult for Oceana to gain the competitive edge it needs to make a successful investment.
Finally, the project has been highly funded already. Canadian government funding, as well as yield from the many international organizations involved, have provided a financial safety net to the project. With more money being thrown at the project already, Oceana may have decided to pull out to save itself the time and effort needed to chase a diminishing return.
Whatever the reasons, Oceana’s decision to opt-out of the Monaro Lithium project in James Bay is one that will raise plenty of eyebrows from both the public and the energy sector. For those looking to invest in lithium projects, Oceana’s decision may very well be a sign of warning as to the potential difficulties and competitive pressures that may be faced.