Zinnwald Lithium GmbH in the Ore Mountains has not been classified as a strategic project despite the new EU law on handling critical raw materials (Critical Raw Materials Act). "Of course we would have liked to have been selected as a strategic project," said Managing Director Marko Uhlig. However, an analysis had shown that such recognition would not currently bring any direct advantages in terms of financing or approval procedures.
Lithium is considered a key raw material for the production of batteries and other high-tech products. The ore metal can be found in the batteries of electric cars. Zinnwald Lithium GmbH plans to produce 15,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually by mining the raw material. This would cover the annual demand for one million batteries for average-sized electric cars.
