A joint venture between Norilsk Nickel and Rosatom, the Polar Lithium company, is exploring the possibility of supplying its products to China. This was announced by the head of the company Igor Demidov.
According to Demidov, the Chinese market is of particular interest as the largest manufacturer of batteries and electric vehicles. Lithium, mined at the Kolmozerskoye deposit in the Murmansk region, may become important raw materials for this industry.
Polar Lithium plans to produce 45 thousand tons of lithium carbonate and hydroxide annually. The launch of the enterprise is scheduled for 2031. Forecast field resources are estimated at 13.5 million tons of ore and 152.6 thousand tons of lithium oxide, which amounts to almost 19% of Russian reserves.
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade allowed changes in plans for the production of lithium-based cathode materials. The initial demand forecast of 10 thousand tons by 2028 may be revised, since current consumption does not exceed 1 thousand tons.
The Kolmozerskoye field is the largest in its region. In addition to lithium, beryllium, niobium and tantalum. The license for the development of Polar Lithium was received in February 2023.
Exporting lithium to China can strengthen Russia’s position in the global market for raw materials for green energy. Read more about the development of the lithium industry in our special project.
Source: @nedradvnews
Photo: @dprom
