Mining Intelligence and News
France

Emili (Beauvoir) Project

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeUnderground
StagePermitting
Commodities
  • Lithium
  • Tin
  • Tantalum
Mining Method
  • Sub-level stoping
Backfill type ... Lock
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotEmili Project would be one of the European Union’s largest lithium mining projects and could, once fully operational, equip the equivalent of 700,000 electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries.

The lithium content of the Emili Project is around 0.9% Li2O while many other deposits in Europe are around 0.6%.

The EMILI project made significant progress in 2023. The scoping study confirmed the attractiveness of the deposit and robustness of the technology with the production at laboratory scale of the first battery-grade lithium hydroxide from the Beauvoir granite. The locations of the loading station and the conversion plant were announced in January 2024. In parallel, pre-feasibility study is to be concluded before year end, and the construction of the industrial pilot is on track to be launched in 2024, pending necessary permitting.

The public debate ended 31 July 31, 2024. Next step - publication the assessment by the National Commission for Public Debate (Sep 30, 2024).

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Imerys S.A. 100 % Indirect
Emili Project is 100% owned by Imerys S.A.

To provide some flexibility in the financing structure, a dedicated subsidiary (Imerys Lithium France) was created for the lithium conversion activities, while the mining concentration activities are carried out at the Ovoir site of Imerys Ceramics France (100% subsidiary of Imerys S.A.), which owns the mining operation.

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Magmatic

Summary:

The lithium content in Beauvoir granite is around 0.9% Li2O. This rock Imerys plans to mine it underground. In addition to its lithium concentration, the Beauvoir granite has the advantage of being easy to access (the deposit containing the lithium is located at a shallow depth and its lateral extension is limited to the footprint of the existing site).

Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

CommodityUnitsAvg. AnnualLOM
Lithium kt 34716
All production numbers are expressed as hydroxide.

Operational metrics

Metrics
Annual ore mining rate  ....  Subscribe
Annual processing capacity  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2022 study.

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
Cash costs Lithium EUR  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2022 study / presentation.
** Net of By-Product.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
Initial CapEx $M EUR  ......  Subscribe

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 26, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 26, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 26, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 30, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Aug 30, 2024

Total WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required 2022

Aerial view:

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