MINEX Forum

Tag: lithium

  • Ukraine selects U.S.-linked consortium to develop Dobra lithium deposit

    Ukraine selects U.S.-linked consortium to develop Dobra lithium deposit

    Ukraine has chosen a consortium that includes U.S.-connected investors as the preferred bidder to develop the Dobra lithium deposit in Kirovohrad Oblast, according to a report by The New York Times. The decision was taken on January 8 by a government commission and is expected to receive formal approval from the Cabinet of Ministers, though officials say the outcome is effectively settled.

    The winning consortium includes TechMet, an energy investment company partly owned by a U.S. government-backed investment agency, and billionaire Ronald Lauder, a long-time associate of U.S. President Donald Trump. Commission members cited the consortium’s strong technical and financial proposal, saying it met most of the tender’s criteria and denying allegations of favoritism.

    The Dobra deposit is one of Ukraine’s largest known lithium resources and is considered strategically important for technologies such as electric vehicle batteries. Development will take place under a production-sharing agreement, allowing investors to extract lithium in exchange for sharing output with the Ukrainian state.

    Under a broader U.S.-Ukraine minerals framework, half of the revenue generated for Ukraine from the project is to be channelled into a joint investment fund. Companies seeking to develop mineral deposits are also required to first present their projects to this fund, a mechanism designed to attract U.S. investment.

    While the minimum investment threshold for the tender was set at $179 million, officials indicated that the consortium’s pledged investment exceeds that figure. The agreement предусматривает spending at least $12 million on geological exploration and $167 million on launching extraction and processing, alongside compliance with environmental standards, use of Ukrainian labour and goods, and investment in local communities.

    Before mining can begin, the consortium must complete detailed geological studies to confirm the deposit’s commercial value and then finance the necessary infrastructure. Industry experts note that moving from exploration to full-scale production typically takes more than a decade.

    The Dobra project is expected to become one of the first initiatives implemented under the U.S.-Ukraine minerals partnership, following the launch of a joint reconstruction investment fund earlier this year.

  • Portugal aims to launch lithium prospecting tender in 2025 with focus on local benefits

    Portugal aims to launch lithium prospecting tender in 2025 with focus on local benefits

    Portugal’s government plans to launch a long-delayed tender for lithium prospecting licenses later this year, as part of efforts to strengthen Europe’s battery materials supply chain while addressing local opposition to mining projects. Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho said the government is preparing a national mining strategy to be finalized by the summer, with an emphasis on community involvement and regional value creation.

    Portugal currently holds around 60,000 tonnes of lithium reserves and is Europe’s largest lithium producer, though output has traditionally been used for ceramics rather than battery-grade material. Expanding into battery-quality lithium is seen as critical for reducing Europe’s dependence on imports and supporting the continent’s clean energy transition.

    Carvalho told Reuters that future mining projects would prioritize keeping economic benefits within the country, sharing revenues regionally and creating local jobs. She added that the government is reviewing international best Reed practices while moving quickly to unlock investment. The original tender was first planned in 2018 but was repeatedly delayed due to political instability, including the collapse of several governments. The current minority administration took office in March 2025.

    Regulatory progress has already been made on specific projects. Portugal’s environmental agency APA has granted initial approval for lithium extraction at the Barroso mine, operated by Savannah Resources, as well as the Montalegre project developed by local firm Lusorecursos.

    Separately, Carvalho commented on ongoing talks between Portuguese energy company Galp and private equity-backed Moeve regarding a potential merger of their oil refining businesses. If completed, the deal would create one of Europe’s largest refining groups, with a combined capacity of about 700,000 barrels per day. The Portuguese state currently holds an 8% stake in Galp.

  • European Metals submits full EIA for Cinovec lithium project in Czech Republic

    European Metals submits full EIA for Cinovec lithium project in Czech Republic

    European Metals Holdings has submitted the full environmental impact assessment (EIA) for its Cinovec lithium project to the Czech Ministry of the Environment, marking a key regulatory milestone and meeting an important condition tied to EU funding. The EIA was formally lodged on 31 December, completing the two-stage environmental assessment process that began with an initial screening submission earlier in the year.

    The filing covers the entire Cinovec development and aligns with the recently completed definitive feasibility study, which outlined a mine life exceeding 26 years and forecast annual production of about 37,500 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate. The ministry will now begin its formal review, with public consultations and hearings expected later in the quarter.

    The submission also satisfies a core requirement of the EU Just Transition Fund grant awarded to the project. In April, Czech authorities approved CZK 800 million, around $36 million at the time, subject to the EIA being filed by the end of 2025 and approved by mid-2026. European Metals said the project remains on track to meet the full timetable.

  • Zinnwald Lithium advances German lithium project after planning assessment

    Zinnwald Lithium advances German lithium project after planning assessment

    Zinnwald Lithium has completed the spatial impact assessment for its proposed integrated lithium mining and processing project in Germany. The Saxony State Directorate concluded that the development concept outlined in the company’s pre-feasibility study is spatially compatible and the most favourable option for large-scale development.

    The concept предусматривает processing at Liebenau with ore transported via a conveyor tunnel. While the assessment does not constitute a development permit, it provides the planning framework needed to proceed to the environmental impact assessment and mining permitting stages under the Saxon Mining Authority. The milestone reduces regulatory risk and supports the project’s role in supplying lithium to Europe’s battery industry.

  • Germany’s Altmark basin emerges as potential lithium powerhouse through direct extraction technology

    Germany’s Altmark basin emerges as potential lithium powerhouse through direct extraction technology

    Northern Saxony-Anhalt, a region historically associated with natural gas production, is drawing renewed attention as a potential cornerstone of Europe’s lithium supply. New assessments indicate that deep underground brines in the Altmark basin contain far larger volumes of lithium than previously believed, offering a possible breakthrough for the continent’s battery materials strategy.

    Neptune Energy, which operates in the area, announced in late 2025 that an independent resource estimate by Sproule ERCE placed the Altmark deposit at around 43 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. Verified under the CIM/NI 43-101 standard, the estimate would rank Altmark among the world’s largest known single-site lithium resources if confirmed through further development.

    The lithium is hosted in deep geothermal brines within Rotliegend sandstone and volcanic formations at depths of 3,200 to 4,000 meters. Average lithium concentrations of about 375 milligrams per litre have been recorded, largely attributed to long-term mineral leaching from mica-rich volcanic rocks under high-temperature conditions.

    Rather than conventional open-pit mining or evaporation ponds, Neptune is advancing direct lithium extraction technologies. Pilot projects completed in 2025 successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate using ion exchange and adsorption methods. These enclosed systems return processed brine underground, significantly reducing land use and water consumption compared with traditional approaches.

    The project aligns with the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, which targets greater domestic sourcing of strategic minerals such as lithium by 2030. By reusing legacy gas infrastructure and combining lithium recovery with geothermal heat potential, Altmark could offer a lower-impact model for mineral production within Europe.

    Commercial output has yet to begin, and further permitting and demonstration-scale validation are required. German regulators are expected to closely review groundwater protection, waste handling and long-term environmental performance. If successful, Altmark may play a pivotal role in reshaping Europe’s position in the global lithium supply chain.

  • Battery storage boom lifts lithium demand outlook for 2026 despite lingering oversupply risks

    Battery storage boom lifts lithium demand outlook for 2026 despite lingering oversupply risks

    Rapid growth in battery energy storage is strengthening the outlook for lithium demand in 2026, raising expectations of a faster recovery for an industry that has struggled with oversupply since late 2022. Analysts say reforms in China’s power sector and surging global investment in data centres have driven stronger-than-expected demand for lithium used in stationary storage systems.

    China’s energy storage market expanded sharply in the second half of 2025, supported by policy changes and rising power system needs. According to analysts, demand growth from energy storage has already exceeded earlier forecasts, helping to offset weaker momentum in electric vehicle sales. Battery storage systems have become China’s most valuable clean-tech export, generating nearly $66 billion in sales in the first ten months of 2025, ahead of EV exports.

    Major banks now expect a tightening lithium market next year. Morgan Stanley forecasts a deficit of 80,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in 2026, while UBS projects a smaller shortfall of 22,000 tonnes, compared with a surplus of 61,000 tonnes expected in 2025. Global lithium demand is projected to grow by 17% to 30% in 2026, broadly in line with supply growth of 19% to 34%, according to analysts.

    Prices rebounded sharply in the second half of 2025 after hitting multi-year lows earlier in the year, aided by Beijing’s pledge to rein in overcapacity and a temporary production halt at a major Chinese mine operated by CATL. Lithium carbonate prices on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange rose to their highest level since November 2023 by the end of December. Analysts expect prices to range between 80,000 and 200,000 yuan per tonne in 2026.

    Energy storage is forecast to account for 31% of total lithium demand next year, up from 23% in 2025, gradually reducing the dominance of electric vehicle batteries. However, analysts caution that faster adoption of sodium-ion batteries for storage and a slowdown in EV sales could cap demand growth and limit further price increases.

  • Tajikistan highlights key mining contracts and projects announced over the past year

    Tajikistan highlights key mining contracts and projects announced over the past year

    The past year was marked for Tajikistan’s extractive industry not by major new discoveries, but by a series of significant contracts and project announcements shaping development plans for the coming years. Several large initiatives across antimony, iron ore, gold, coal and lithium were either launched or confirmed.

    In July 2025, construction began on a mining and processing plant at the Pakhandara antimony deposit in the Sughd region, located at an altitude of about 3,000 meters above sea level. The project is scheduled for completion by 2027. The license for both open-pit and underground mining is held by Pakhandara Mining, while HKSkyline Development Limited is acting as the contractor. Once operational, the plant is expected to process more than 150,000 tonnes of ore annually and produce around 5,000 tonnes of antimony.

    The same month also saw the commissioning of several other facilities, including a new antimony processing plant operated by ARB Minerals Group, the second phase of the TVEA Dushanbe gold mining enterprise, and the Angishti Takht coal beneficiation plant.

    In December, the Tajik Metallurgical Plant signed an agreement with the government to build an iron ore mining and processing facility, using deposits located in the Sughd region as its raw material base. The first phase of the project is set to be launched in 2027, with the second phase planned for 2031. The design capacity of the complex is 2.5 million tonnes of ore and 1.1 million tonnes of iron ore concentrate per year.

    At the International Mining and Metallurgical Forum of Tajikistan held in Dushanbe in December, officials also announced the construction of a lithium plant in the country, although further details of the project have not yet been disclosed. During the same event, it was stated that around 800 prospective mineral deposits have been identified nationwide, while just over 100 sites covering 50 types of mineral raw materials are currently involved in active development.

  • China Lithium Prices Surge After Yichun Plans to Revoke Mining Licences

    China Lithium Prices Surge After Yichun Plans to Revoke Mining Licences

    Lithium prices in China jumped sharply after authorities in the country’s main lithium-producing hub announced plans to revoke dozens of mining licences, triggering investor concerns about future supply.

    The most actively traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange rose to 109860 yuan per metric ton on Wednesday, its highest level since June 2024, before closing up 7.61% at 108620 yuan.

    The Bureau of Natural Resources of Yichun, a major lithium center in Jiangxi province, said it intends to cancel 27 mining permits following a public consultation period that will end on January 22. The announcement was published on the bureau’s official website on Friday.

    According to the published list, all of the licences have already expired, with some dating back more than a decade. Most were originally issued for ceramic clay or limestone mining. One permit related to a lithium-bearing ceramic stone mine was held by Jiangxi Special Electric Motor, which said it has filed an objection with local authorities. The permit expired on September 15 2024.

    Analysts at Galaxy Futures said the licence revocations are unlikely to have a direct impact on current lithium supply, as none of the affected permits cover operating mines. Nevertheless, the announcement heightened market anxiety about longer-term availability, pushing lithium carbonate prices higher.

    The move is part of a broader clean-up of mining licences in Yichun that began in September. The bureau previously revoked six permits on November 27. Lithium prices have been rising since August, after CATL suspended mining at its Jianxiawo site following the expiry of its mining licence, with strong demand from the energy storage sector providing additional support.

  • China Lithium Prices Jump After Yichun Moves to Revoke Mining Licences

    China Lithium Prices Jump After Yichun Moves to Revoke Mining Licences

    Lithium prices in China rose sharply after authorities in the country’s main lithium-producing hub announced plans to revoke dozens of mining licences, fuelling investor concerns over future supply.

    The most actively traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange climbed as high as 109860 yuan per metric ton on Wednesday, its highest level since June 2024, before closing up 7.61% at 108620 yuan.

    The Bureau of Natural Resources of Yichun, a key lithium centre in Jiangxi province, said it intends to cancel 27 mining permits following a public consultation period ending on January 22. The notice was published on the bureau’s official website last week.

    According to the published list, all of the licences have already expired, in some cases more than ten years ago. Most were originally issued for ceramic clay or limestone mining. One permit linked to a lithium-bearing ceramic stone mine was held by Jiangxi Special Electric Motor, which said it has lodged an objection with local authorities. The permit in question expired on September 15 2024.

    Analysts at Galaxy Futures noted that the cancellations are unlikely to have a direct impact on current lithium supply, as none of the revoked licences relate to operating mines. Nevertheless, the announcement heightened market anxiety over longer-term availability, pushing lithium carbonate prices higher.

    The latest move follows a broader clean-up of mining permits in Yichun that began in September. The bureau previously revoked six licences on November 27.

    Lithium carbonate prices have been trending upward since August, after mining at CATL’s Jianxiawo mine was suspended due to the expiry of its mining licence. Strong demand from the energy storage sector has provided additional support to the market.

  • REsourceEU Puts Europe’s Critical Minerals Strategy Into Action With Early Molybdenum and Lithium Backing

    REsourceEU Puts Europe’s Critical Minerals Strategy Into Action With Early Molybdenum and Lithium Backing

    Europe’s newly launched €3-billion REsourceEU funding package marks a decisive shift in the continent’s approach to securing resilient, competitive supply chains for critical and strategic raw materials. The first wave of support targets a select group of molybdenum and lithium projects, signalling that Brussels is moving beyond policy blueprints toward tangible industrial capacity.

    As reported by euromining.news, these early selections demonstrate that the EU’s critical raw materials agenda is entering an execution phase, focused on easing bottlenecks in alloy production, battery manufacturing and clean-technology deployment.

    Molybdenum moves into the strategic spotlight
    While it attracts far less attention than battery metals, molybdenum is essential to Europe’s industrial backbone. As a key alloying element in high-performance steels, it underpins defence manufacturing, energy infrastructure, petrochemicals and advanced engineering.

    Europe’s heavy reliance on imported molybdenum leaves these sectors exposed to geopolitical risk and price volatility. By prioritising European molybdenum projects under REsourceEU, the Commission is acknowledging that strategic vulnerability extends well beyond lithium and rare earths. Industrial resilience depends on securing the full spectrum of critical alloying materials that modern manufacturing requires.

    Lithium funding reinforces battery-chain ambitions
    Lithium remains central to Europe’s push to build a competitive battery ecosystem. Conversion plants across Germany, France, Portugal and the Nordic region are racing to scale production of battery-grade lithium chemicals, aiming to establish domestic midstream hubs in a market still dominated by fragmented and geopolitically sensitive global supply chains.

    REsourceEU funding is expected to reduce financing risk, unlock delayed investments and accelerate project timelines. This support is arriving at a critical moment, as European gigafactory capacity expands rapidly and automakers seek stable, low-carbon lithium supply.

    From policy vision to industrial reality
    The broader ambition of REsourceEU is to translate Europe’s raw-materials strategy into operational infrastructure. As highlighted in recent euromining.news analysis, long-term industrial competitiveness now hinges on secure, diversified and environmentally responsible material flows.

    By backing early leaders in molybdenum and lithium development, the EU is sending a clear signal: Europe intends to anchor strategic materials production at home rather than rely on volatile external suppliers. The challenge now lies in delivery. Projects must still overcome permitting hurdles, secure long-term offtake agreements and reach commercial scale.

    As construction advances and policy support deepens, euromining.news will continue to track both progress and remaining gaps to assess whether Europe’s strategic-materials ambitions translate into lasting industrial strength.