据知情人士透露，莱茵金属股份公司（Rheinmetall AG）已在锂业公司Rock Tech锂业公司（Rock Tech Lithium Inc.）及其德国冶炼厂中持有少量股份。
By Eyk Henning and Laura Alviž Rheinmetall AG has taken a small stake in lithium firm Rock Tech Lithium Inc. and its German smelter, according to people familiar with the matter.
一些知情人士表示，这家国防巨头是该德加锂矿开发商最近宣布的增资背后的匿名投资者，这些人士因信息属私密而拒绝透露身份。
The defense giant is the unnamed investor behind a recently announced capital increase by the German Canadian lithium mine developer, some of the people said, declining to be identified because the information is private.
他们补充说，莱茵金属也是Rock Tech计划在德国城市古本（Guben）建设的锂转换厂的战略合资投资者。
They added that Rheinmetall is also the strategic co-investor at Rock Tech’s planned lithium converter in the German city of Guben.
本月初，Rock Tech宣布了一项600万加元（约合420万美元）的私人配售，其中包括一家“新的战略投资者”的投资，该投资者还将参与该公司已获全面许可的古本氢氧化锂转换厂的股权。莱茵金属和Rock Tech的代表均拒绝置评。
Earlier this month, the Rock Tech announced a C$6 million ($4.2 million) private placement, including an investment by “a new strategic investor” that’s also entering into equity participation for the company’s fully permitted Guben lithium hydroxide converter. Representatives for Rheinmetall and Rock Tech declined to comment.
对于德国的莱茵金属来说，这项投资正值国防工业向无人驾驶车辆和更先进的电子产品转型之际，电池技术和锂已成为国家安全的关键组成部分。锂用于电池，随着美国等政府寻求减少对中国供应的依赖，锂日益被视为一种关键商品。
For Germany’s Rheinmetall, the investment comes as the defense industry shifts toward unmanned vehicles and more advanced electronics, making battery technology and lithium key components for national security. Lithium, used in batteries, is increasingly seen as a critical commodity as governments such as the US are seeking to reduce dependence on Chinese supplies.
Rock Tech还与西门子加拿大公司（Siemens Canada）签署了一项不具约束力的协议，以在安大略省设计一座锂加工厂。
Rock Tech has also signed a non-binding agreement with Siemens Canada to design a lithium processing plant in Ontario.