Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has signed a MoU with Miawpukek First Nation in Newfoundland and Labrador, paving the way for the two to work together on a proposed H₂ project on the island portion of the Canadian province.

FFI’s Project Lynx, to be developed in and around the Stephenville, St. George’s and Channel-Port Aux Basques areas, could produce 700,000 to 900,000 tpy of green ammonia and create up to 2000 jobs in the province. The MoU marks an important step forward for the proposed project.

“We are very pleased with FFI’s approach to development in Newfoundland,” said Chief Mi’sel Joe. “We have been stewards of this land since the beginning of time and using renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia to get the world to net carbon zero aligns with our values as a nation. We fully support this strategic partnership.”

Miawpukek First Nation is known throughout Atlantic Canada for its ambitious and successful business ventures in its pursuit of economic independence. The First Nation leadership team brings to Project Lynx a combination of traditional knowledge of the land and strong business acumen.

“We respect this country’s first peoples’ knowledge of the land, and we strongly believe that involving Indigenous communities at the very beginning of project conception is the right approach,” said FFI Canada Country Manager Stephen Appleton. “We are pleased to work with Miawpukek First Nation to inform the next steps of this proposed project.”

The non-binding MoU provides a framework for discussions and planning that will allow partners to evaluate the potential for H₂ production in Newfoundland for export to Europe, assess commercial viability, and work toward cooperating in the development and operation of a wind energy to green H₂ project in the province.

FFI is engaging with community members throughout the province regarding the proposed development, in line with the global leader in green H₂’s commitment to building thriving communities through the delivery of social, environmental, and economic benefits.