The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that Chinese mining company Sinomine Resource Group wants to build a lithium refinery in Manitoba, and is looking at partnering with South Korea's LG Energy Solution in an attempt to assuage any national-security concerns. The Globe's Niall McGee writes that last year, Beijing-based Sinomine put its Tanco lithium mine into production in Manitoba. It currently ships unrefined lithium concentrate from the site to China. If Sinomine gets the go-ahead for the construction of its new facility, known as a lithium hydroxide plant, the company would be able to refine the key battery metal in Canada and sell it into the North American supply chain. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in October that he would not allow more investment in the Canadian critical-minerals sector by foreign state-controlled companies, except under extraordinary circumstances -- a move that was clearly directed at China. Days later, he ordered three Chinese mining companies, including Sinomine, to divest from Canadian critical-minerals companies. Sinomine was forced to sell its shares in Power Metals, a lithium and cesium developer, as well as an offtake agreement with the company.