Spain consults on raw materials roadmap as Europe's EV battery race gathers pace
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San José lithium project. Image: Infinity Lithium
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Spain’s government is consulting on a proposed national raw materials management roadmap, as the country gears up to become a key supplier to Europe’s future electric vehicle batteries market.
The ecological transition and demographic challenge ministry (MITECO) said the public consultation will consider the "sustainable and efficient” development and use of materials – which could include interest in a key lithium project.
The month-long consultation period, launched yesterday, comes just weeks after Australia-listed minerals company, Infinity Lithium, received commitments to raise $2.2m (£1.7m) through a placement for its 75%-owned San José lithium project in Spain.
Infinity, which is a member of the EU’s European Battery Alliance, said the placement was "significantly oversubscribed”.
'Climate-neutral transition'
According to Infinity, the project represents one of Europe’s largest lithium deposits. The company plans to mine the hard rock Mica resource and develop processing facilities to produce 15 kilotonnes of lithium hydroxide each year – "able to power more than 10 million electric vehicles”.
MITECO said: "The transition to a climate-neutral society in 2050 means increasing consumption of certain mineral raw materials, as clean energy technologies require more mineral resources… Although a good part of this demand will be covered by increased use of secondary raw materials, primary extraction will continue to play a role in demand.”
Earlier this year, the EU launched a Raw Materials Alliance, after adding lithium to the bloc’s critical raw materials list for the first time.
Related articles in our archive:
Infinity Lithium hails $2.2m investment pledges for Spain's San José project
EU launches Raw Materials Alliance with pledge to tackle e-waste
The ecological transition and demographic challenge ministry (MITECO) said the public consultation will consider the "sustainable and efficient” development and use of materials – which could include interest in a key lithium project.
The month-long consultation period, launched yesterday, comes just weeks after Australia-listed minerals company, Infinity Lithium, received commitments to raise $2.2m (£1.7m) through a placement for its 75%-owned San José lithium project in Spain.
Infinity, which is a member of the EU’s European Battery Alliance, said the placement was "significantly oversubscribed”.
'Climate-neutral transition'
According to Infinity, the project represents one of Europe’s largest lithium deposits. The company plans to mine the hard rock Mica resource and develop processing facilities to produce 15 kilotonnes of lithium hydroxide each year – "able to power more than 10 million electric vehicles”.
MITECO said: "The transition to a climate-neutral society in 2050 means increasing consumption of certain mineral raw materials, as clean energy technologies require more mineral resources… Although a good part of this demand will be covered by increased use of secondary raw materials, primary extraction will continue to play a role in demand.”
Earlier this year, the EU launched a Raw Materials Alliance, after adding lithium to the bloc’s critical raw materials list for the first time.
Related articles in our archive:
Infinity Lithium hails $2.2m investment pledges for Spain's San José project
EU launches Raw Materials Alliance with pledge to tackle e-waste