Brunswick Exploration is a Montreal-based mineral exploration company focused on discovering lithium and other critical metals needed for the energy transition. The company specialises in early-stage, grassroots exploration, using systematic geological methods and advanced technologies to identify new high-potential lithium deposits.
Since setting out your roadmap in 2025, you’ve delivered across Mirage, Greenland and international expansion. What does that progress change for Brunswick, and what comes next?
We’ve demonstrated our ability to execute on our programs. Our approach has always been two-fold: to show our projects are globally significant and economically interesting. We started to show that at Mirage when we released the MRE in early 2026, with a mineral resource estimate of 52 million tons and an additional 40 to 50 million ton exploration target. That speaks to the scale of an asset that justifies continued investment, which is often missing from companies whose assets don’t have the scope to matter on global markets.
At the same time, we’ve delivered on upside. Lithium exploration hasn’t happened on a global scale. Canada now joins countries like Western Australia, Brazil and China, where we understand the mineral potential, but there are still significant jurisdictions where this work hasn’t been done.
Brunswick’s move into Saudi Arabia is a significant step. What drove that decision, and how do you see Canadian mining companies evolving on the global stage?
Canada has always had a strong mining industry and the ability to export that expertise globally, and we’re following those same footsteps. We recognized quickly that in grassroots lithium exploration, general expertise was lacking. Once we had built our team and demonstrated our model, we gave ourselves minimal constraints.
Geology doesn’t care about imaginary lines on a map, and so we identified Saudi Arabia as a highly prospective area.
You’re starting to see increased activity there in copper, gold, zinc and iron ore, and that potential is largely untapped. On the lithium side, this is cutting-edge, frontier work. We see a bright future in Saudi Arabia, but it’s one of many opportunities. It goes back to the idea that just because something hasn’t been explored historically doesn’t mean it’s not there.
How has your experience of mining in Canada differed compared to other jurisdictions?
The main difference is that Canada has a better understanding of the entire mining process, from the earliest stage where you’re a geologist with an idea, through testing, development and multiple milestones. Most countries are more familiar with end-stage mining operations and may not have that same experience across the full lifecycle. That remains a net advantage to Canada, even if there are exceptions.
Countries like Saudi Arabia are a good example of progress. Ten years ago, the list of issues would have been long, but they’ve modernized their mining code by looking at tier-one jurisdictions like Canada and adopting best practices. That reflects what Canada has built—transparency, investor security and a system that has worked well for decades, even if nothing is ever perfect.
Why lean into grassroots lithium exploration now?
You have to understand this on two fronts. First is the concept that we simply don’t know. Five years ago, Quebec was not on anyone’s map as a world-class lithium district; today it’s one of the best in the world. That raises the question: how many more Quebecs exist in terms of untapped lithium potential?
Second, a lot of prior exploration has gone into unrealistic assets. Our criteria are clear: size of 50 million tons, the right mineralogy (spodumene), proximity to infrastructure and amenability to DMS. Much of the work in Canada has focused on 5, 10 or 20 million ton assets that will never work. That’s why retrenchment is happening. For us, that creates opportunity—less competition and a focus on realistic, globally significant assets like Mirage.
What would it take for Canada to establish itself as a globally competitive lithium hub across the full value chain?
You have to start from the foundations. The rest of the value chain—refining, battery manufacturing—can be located anywhere, depending on costs. The foundation is access to the commodity, and that’s where Canada is—for lack of a better word— blessed. The mineral potential is world-class, and that allows everything else to follow.
If we don’t build the mines, we can’t build the rest of the value chain. From there, you can look at competitive advantages and redevelop refining and manufacturing domestically. With deglobalization, supply chains are becoming less reliable, and access to raw materials becomes critical. Canada’s asset base puts it in a strong position to develop its own downstream capacity if needed.
How important is the first mover advantage in lithium?
First mover advantage is very important. In Greenland, when we moved in, we took all viable lithium targets. Every meaningful target was staked and explored by Brunswick, giving us a strong competitive position because no one else is coming in now—we control the land.
On a global basis, it is a race to acquire assets. Even if no single company matches our approach, collectively the industry can. Our strategy is to move aggressively—rather than 50 companies with 50 projects, it becomes one company with 50 projects. Even if only one works, that’s enough.
What role do you see lithium playing in Canada’s next chapter, particularly in energy transition and economic growth?
If you step back, every country is looking at its energy mix and recognizing exposure. Renewables like solar and wind offer energy independence, but they require batteries to smooth out uneven power generation, and that’s where lithium becomes critical.
Canada’s role comes back to access to the raw commodity. As countries expand battery capacity, they will need lithium, and Canada will be a key supplier. Lithium positions Canada as a core player in energy independence and decarbonization.
