Revolution in the automotive industry: Europe finds a ‘gold mine’
The presence of lithium in the Beauvoir deposit, in the Allier region (France), dates back to the 1960s. A mine from which kaolin is also extracted.
Lithium is a soft, silver-white metal that oxidizes quickly when exposed to air or water. Often referred to as “white gold,” it is used in the production of batteries and plays a crucial role in the automotive industry.
It is especially important for the development of electric vehicles, although it is also used in electronic devices, drones, and electrical energy storage systems. Globally, China dominates much of the value chain for this alkali metal. Even so, Europe has discovered what many consider a “gold mine” that could significantly boost its automotive sector.
This new development could reshape the European market and reduce its dependence on third countries. The Beauvoir deposit, in the Allier region of France, represents a major breakthrough for Europe’s automotive industry, strengthening the continent’s self-sufficiency in strategic raw materials.
Although kaolin remains the primary mineral extracted from the mine, the presence of lithium has been known since the 1960s. In 2005, Imerys, a French multinational specializing in the production and processing of industrial minerals, took control of the site.
Goal: producing 34,000 tons of lithium
The project aims to produce approximately 34,000 tons of lithium hydroxide per year, enough to manufacture batteries for about 700,000 electric vehicles annually.
The French government has publicly announced its intention to support the lithium hydroxide production project with an initial incentive of €200 million ($237 million) for Imerys, the company responsible for developing the deposit and extracting the raw material.
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