France has announced a €50 million investment in a minority stake in Imerys’ Emili lithium project, marking a significant step in its national strategy to secure domestic supplies of battery metals. Imerys, the minerals group developing the project, said other investors may join the government’s commitment to finance feasibility studies ahead of a final investment decision.
First unveiled in 2022, the Emili project aims to produce 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually. This volume could support the battery requirements of approximately 700,000 electric vehicles each year, bolstering Europe’s efforts to build resilient supply chains for e-mobility.
According to Imerys, the government’s funding will help complete technical, economic and environmental assessments before moving to full-scale development. Production is currently slated to begin in 2030, after a timeline shift from 2028 prompted by public debate over environmental impacts.
Imerys CEO Alessandro Dazza said the company plans to attract additional partners to fund construction and operation. While Imerys does not anticipate retaining a majority share, it considers itself the most suitable operator for the future site. The project design includes an underground mine beneath an existing kaolin operation in central France, paired with a processing facility to refine spodumene ore into lithium hydroxide.
Imerys also revised its cost estimate for the venture, raising the projected total to €1.8 billion from an initial €1 billion. Dazza noted that the ultimate cost is expected to be significantly lower than this midpoint forecast. In late October, the company entered exclusive negotiations with a potential investor regarding a minority stake.
The government’s investment underscores France’s commitment to fostering strategic domestic resources critical for the electric vehicle transition. By participating in the Emili project, the state is positioning itself to play an active role in Europe’s growing battery materials sector.
Source: Reuters
