The partnership positions each Rio Tinto and Inexperienced Lithium to profit from the rising demand for electrical car (EV) metals. It additionally aligns with their mutual aim of supporting decarbonization efforts and addressing the growing want for sources of sustainable battery supplies.
Inexperienced Lithium’s formidable plan to construct and function a large-scale lithium refinery in Teesside, England, is the spine of the introduced partnership. The power will produce high-purity lithium chemical compounds for each the UK and EU markets, using superior know-how designed for low-carbon, environmentally pleasant processing of spodumene focus.
Europe’s hovering demand for battery metals contrasts with the shortage of home lithium refining capabilities. The provision chain is predominantly managed by Chinese language corporations, highlighting the strategic significance of Inexperienced Lithium and Rio’s endeavour.
UK Trade and Decarbonization Minister Sarah Jones praised the partnership, emphasizing its potential to strengthen the native economic system and the UK’s vital minerals provide chain. “It is not going to solely help high-skilled jobs within the North East however increase our vital minerals provide chains as we proceed to construct a cleaner, greener future for our automotive business and drive ahead our mission to internet zero,” Jones mentioned.
Reaching throughout Europe
Rio Tinto has lately stepped up efforts to revive its Jadar lithium challenge in Serbia, after getting its mining licence revoked in 2022. Locals staged huge, widespread protests towards the proposed mine on environmental issues
The world’s second largest miner has been pushing since to renew work on the challenge, anticipated to be Europe’s largest mine of the battery metallic. Serbia reinstated in July Rio Tinto’s licence to develop it, however the miner must safe approvals to maneuver in direction of manufacturing on the web site.
With projected manufacturing of 58,000 tonnes of refined battery-grade lithium carbonate per yr, Jadar may provide sufficient lithium to energy a million electrical automobiles and meet 90% of Europe’s present lithium wants.