Authorities Address Citizens’ Concerns Over Planned Lithium Mining in Liebenau
In Liebenau, representatives from the State Directorate, the Saxon Mining Authority, and Zinnwald Lithium GmbH (ZL) recently addressed questions from local citizens about the planned lithium mining in the region. Liebenau is one of two possible locations for the planned processing plant of Zinnwald Lithium GmbH, with the other being Bärenstein. ZL is currently working on a concept that includes two possible site variants, which will be evaluated by the State Directorate of Saxony in a spatial impact assessment. Joachim Brockpähler from the Regional Planning and Urban Development Department noted that the goal is to find the most humane and environmentally friendly solution.
The local council of Liebenau hosted the information session, inviting experts such as Brockpähler, District Administrator Michael Geisler, ZL Managing Director Marko Uhlig, and Falk Ebersbach, the head of the Legal Department of the Saxon Mining Authority. Approximately 180 members of the public attended the event at Liebenau Kulturscheune, engaging with experts to better understand the legal and technical aspects of lithium mining in the region.
Zinnwald is home to the second-largest lithium deposit in Europe, and when including the area across the Czech border, it is the largest. The deposit is projected to yield approximately 12,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually for the next 35 years. According to ZL Managing Director Marko Uhlig, this offers strategic advantages, as the site is near multiple potential customers. Lithium is a critical raw material not only for batteries but also for glass, ceramics, and lubricants. With the European Union, Germany, and Saxony aiming to reduce dependence on China for lithium, developing this deposit would allow a stronger presence in the global market.
Progress on the site comparison has been delayed as ZL collaborates with Finnish ore processing company Metso to develop a more efficient lithium processing method. Traditional lithium extraction methods include pulverizing ore, magnetic separation, heating, and dissolving it in water to crystallize lithium hydroxide as a salt. In the method being developed with Metso, the process would use less water, generate less waste, and require fewer additional resources like lime and gypsum, potentially making the plant smaller and more sustainable. Since these tests are ongoing, it is still too early to determine the plant's exact scale or water usage.
The mining operation at Zinnwald is projected to extract about 1.5 million tons of rock annually, with 60% to 70% of the material remaining underground to stabilize cavities. Depending on the plant's location, 30% to 40% of the leftover sand will be deposited either in an alluvial dump near Bärenstein or a dump near Liebenau. According to Uhlig, measures will be taken to stabilize the subsoil before dumping begins to mitigate environmental impacts.
Residents expressed concerns about water usage in lithium extraction. Since the extraction technology has not yet been finalized, precise water requirements remain unknown. However, Uhlig clarified that, due to the geological structure of the Altenberg area, water from the mine would flow away quickly, having little impact on local water sources. Additionally, water used in the process would be recirculated within the lithium extraction system.
The potential for collaboration with the Czech company Geomet, which is also planning to develop lithium deposits across the border, was discussed. While there will be a joint hydrological model and coordinated compensation measures, both companies determined that processing on either side is only economically viable when done locally. Transporting rock via narrow, winding roads from Zinnwald to Altenberg is impractical and costly, effectively ruling out that option.
Blasting for mining and tunneling operations could potentially lead to structural damage to houses. If the processing plant is located in Bärenstein, a tunnel from Zinnwald to Altenberg is planned. Alternatively, if the plant is in Liebenau, tunneling would extend under Geising and Löwenhain. Falk Ebersbach of the Upper Mining Authority stated that mining companies are required to provide guarantees to cover damages before receiving permits, ensuring funds will be available for repairs even in the event of insolvency. Pre-drilling inspections by civil engineers will document building conditions, offering further safeguards against liability issues.
