Lithium mine project in Auvergne recognized as being of “major national interest” by decree

One of the largest European lithium mining projects, led by the Imerys group in Allier, has joined the list of “projects of major national interest”, synonymous with accelerated implementation procedures, according to a decree published on Sunday July 7 in Official newspaper.

This project to open a lithium mine in Echassières is part of the strategy put in place by France to free itself from its dependence on imports of the precious metal, particularly from China. The production of lithium batteries for electric cars is a key element of the energy transition, while thermal vehicles will be banned from sale in the European Union from 2035.

According to Imerys, the project, called Emili, aims to produce the lithium needed to manufacture batteries for more than 700,000 vehicles for twenty-five years from 2028. A public debate launched in March on the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the project is due to conclude on July 31, according to the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP).

Creation of 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs

Imerys believes that its project, described as “the most important mining project in metropolitan France for more than half a century”would generate 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs.

Read also the report | Article reserved for our subscribers A colossal lithium mining project in Auvergne divides the population, who fear an impact on the soil and access to water

The status of “major project of national interest”, created by the green industry law of October 2023, allows industrial projects of importance for the ecological transition or national sovereignty to benefit from acceleration measures or administrative exemptions.

This status was granted in recent days to a molecular plastics recycling plant project by the Eastman company in Seine-Maritime; to a reduced iron ore and hydrogen production site by the Gravithy company in Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône); as well as to a mega-plant for Carbon photovoltaic panels in the large seaport of Marseille.

Globally, in 2022, 47% of mined lithium came from Australia – mostly sold to Chinese processing companies –, 30% from Chile and 15% from China. In Europe, only Portugal produces some lithium, amounting to 0.5% of global mining production in 2022, according to data from the US Geological Survey USGS.

In May, the International Energy Agency (IEA), which said it feared “tensions” concerning the global supply of minerals and metals essential to the energy transition, has encouraged an increase in mining investments so that the planet can limit its warming to 1.5°C by the end of the century.

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers Metal supply, a critical issue in the energy transition

The World with AFP

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