Imerys Announces Montluçon as Site for Groundbreaking Lithium Conversion Plant

Imerys, a prominent minerals group, has made a significant announcement regarding its ambitious lithium project in Echassières, Allier – one of Europe's largest lithium mine endeavors. The company confirmed on Monday, 29 January, that its state-of-the-art lithium conversion plant is set to be located near Montluçon, about forty kilometers from the lithium deposit.

This strategic decision places the plant in the commune of Saint-Victor, on a brownfield site. Alan Parte, the Vice-President in charge of lithium projects at Imerys, highlighted the site's advantageous features, such as proximity to the Beauvoir deposit in Echassières, access to essential utilities, and compliance with technical constraints.

A significant aspect of this project is its proximity to the Beauvoir deposit, where Imerys operates a kaolin quarry and plans to install an underground lithium mine. The ore from this mine will be transported via underground pipes to a loading station in the communes of Naves and Saint-Bonnet-de-Rochefort, about fifteen kilometers away. From there, trains will carry the ore to the Montluçon conversion plant.

The conversion plant itself is poised to be a major contributor to the local economy, potentially creating between 200 and 250 jobs. It will focus on extracting lithium from mica to produce 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually. This output is expected to be sufficient to power 700,000 electric vehicles each year, starting from 2028 and for at least the next 25 years.

France's ambition to lessen its dependency on lithium imports, especially from China, aligns with this project. This is particularly relevant as the European Union moves towards banning the sale of combustion-powered vehicles by 2035.

In addressing environmental concerns, Imerys has committed to minimizing negative impacts, estimating an additional 20% cost to ensure the project is environmentally responsible. This initiative comes ahead of a public debate scheduled from March to July.

Alan Parte emphasized the company's commitment to proximity, with all chosen sites being in the Allier region. Imerys has already invested €40 million in its research, underlining its dedication to this groundbreaking project. As the world shifts towards more sustainable energy solutions, the Montluçon lithium conversion plant stands as a testament to innovative industrial strategies aimed at supporting a greener future.