By 2030, a huge lithium mining project should see the light of day in Auvergne! This is the announcement made by the French global mining giant Imeris

Another step towards energy independence?

The good news is that a place to exploit already exists! This is a mine in Beauvoir in Allier. In the latter, a specific white kaolin clay is mined, which is used for the manufacture of ceramics.

And its foundation would also be very rich in lithium, as Imerys mines nearly a million tons of the rare ore…

📣 We are launching a large project for exploitation #lithium on your website #Beauvoir (@allierdpt).

It aims to respond to the challenges of energy transition and industrial sovereignty 🇫🇷 and Europe 🇪🇺.

Read our KP. ▶️ https://t.co/0g9gbYCPQg#Imeris pic.twitter.com/G9YUNZBFpD

—Imerys France (@Imerys) October 24, 2022

In Europe, countries and manufacturers are developing more and more on electricity, in particular on batteries. Volkswagen, for example, announced the construction of a huge factory of batteries, which will see the light of day within two years. And by 2030 the German company plans to open more than six!

Lithium production in Europe will be another step towards energy independence. Germany is also planning a large mining site (Vulcan Energy) for the production of lithium in 2026.

What are the environmental risks?

It is obvious that the extraction of such a resource is not without consequences for the environment. One ton of lithium oxide requires the extraction of 100 tons of rock.

In this regard, the group wants to reassure: ” Initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions will include an electric mine fleet, transport by underground pipelines, trainor using the French low-carbon electricity mix “.

#France2030
Launch of the “Emily” lithium mining project at the site @Imeris from Beauvoir to Echassiere #Combination. Long term solution for 🇫🇷 and 🇪🇺 for #економикасуверенитет and ecological transition. A great opportunity for the ecological development of Alley. pic.twitter.com/ozeU1yKT25

– Prefect Allier (@Prefet03) October 25, 2022

On the site, Imerys also plans to build a oil refinery. Indeed, lithium requires processing after extraction from the rock.

Finally,The mining site can produce 34,000 tons of lithium per year (for 25 years), it is enough to provide material needed to make 700,000 cars electricity annually: It will be one of the largest lithium mining projects in the European Union and, when fully operational, could equip the equivalent of 700,000 electric cars a year with lithium-ion batteries. “.