Arizona Lithium, now Prairie Lithium, signed a memorandum of understanding with Long Creek Railroad, announced August 4, to develop a purpose-built transload facility connecting the Prairie Lithium Project in southeast Saskatchewan to Class 1 rail infrastructure and global markets. Long Creek operates a 41-mile shortline on a former Canadian Pacific railbed running from Estevan through Outram, Bromhead and Torquay to Tribune, linking onward to CP and Kansas City rail networks.

The location is convenient: Pad #1 sits roughly three kilometres from the rail line, and Pad #3 about three kilometres from the Tribune terminus. Phase 1 production at Pad #1 is planned at 150 tonnes per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent from a commercial-scale direct lithium extraction unit. Executive director Zach Maurer said rail access enables efficient movement of lithium to North American and international markets, while reducing trucking reliance and supporting potential refinery co-location.

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