In eastern France, but more recently also in the Massif Central, France is beginning to see exploitable lithium reserves. But in Europe, several countries are also counting the areas where “white gold” has been found, in the hope that they can supply their own battery factories and reduce their dependence on China at this level.

The town of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, once infamous for its environmental disaster, is becoming a key part of Germany’s green transition. This transformation is embodied by the appearance of the country’s first large-scale lithium processing plant, which is expected to play a central role in European plans for local mining and processing of the raw materials needed to power electric vehicles.

A key lithium mine for Europe?

This plant will produce lithium from May. The choice of Bitterfeld-Wolfen in eastern Germany, close to key players in the German automotive industry, underlines the strategic importance of the location. The European Union, aware of its growing dependence on imports of rare metals, has introduced proposals aimed at securing supplies of critical raw materials, from lithium to cobalt and nickel for car batteries. The town of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, a once devastated bastion of East Germany’s chemical industry, may thus see its fortunes ruined by this pursuit of “white gold”. The first module of the factory will be able to produce 20,000 tons of lithium hydroxide per year.
While China is not the largest producer of crude lithium, it has most of the world’s processing capacity and a significant portion of battery production. The EU aims to ensure that 40% of critical materials are recycled within its territory, and new mining and industrial projects are emerging in Europe, from Portugal to central France.

Goals that cannot be achieved before 2030?

An additional project aims to develop a lithium deposit in Zinnwald, a former mining region in eastern Germany. While the EU is setting a modest target of 10% local lithium supply, projects like Zinnwald could play a significant role in the supply chain. The Zinnwald mine is expected to be operating at full capacity by the end of the decade. While local mining is only a partial solution, new processing facilities planned in Europe could potentially fully meet demand for lithium, some analysts say.

However, difficulties in completing current projects and delays in setting up new production sites could make it difficult to achieve the EU’s 2030 target.

Read also:
ZFE: According to some, they would benefit the auto industry
ZFE radars: how to spot them accurately?
ZFE: What is the future impact on our way of life?