On the 24th of October, Imerys announced the intention to extract lithium from Beauvoir’s site.
EMILI : Beauvoir Lithium Mining Project
Supporting the energy transition
Imerys has launched a lithium mining project at its Beauvoir site in Echassières (Allier, France). This project contributes to to the dual challenge of the energy transition and Europe’s economic independence. It will contribute to creating an integrated European battery industry for electric vehicles by offering a local solution for one of the most critical materials required, lithium.
EMILI (Exploitation de MIca Lithinifère par Imerys) is one of the largest lithium extraction projects in Europe, which would offer a long-term solution and meet Europe's decarbonization goals.
Imerys intends to design this project in an environmentally -friendly manner, in consultation with all stakeholders, and aligning with the IRMA benchmark, the international reference certification for responsible mining.
Key figures
Middle of the 19th century
Start of kaolin mining at the Beauvoir site
2028
Planned entry into production of the site
700 000
Electric vehicles equipped each year thanks to the production of lithium in Beauvoir
I congratulate Imerys on launching the first low-carbon lithium operation in France. This project, which is exemplary from an environmental and climate perspective, will significantly reduce our need to import lithium and enable us to produce nearly 700,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. It will contribute to the objective set by the President of the Republic to produce 2 million electric vehicles in France by 2030 and will be supported by the Government.
Bruno Le Maire
Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty
Latest news
October 28, 2022
Imerys CEO Alessandro Dazza visited the Beauvoir site on 24 October to announce the official launch of the EMILI project. The event was attended by government officials, local representatives, the Group’s partners and the media.
September 20, 2022
On September 17 and 18, for Heritage Days, the Beauvoir Kaolin Quarry opened its doors to dozens of visitors curious to discover the site. An event organized jointly by the Wolframines Museum and the Imerys teams.
September 10, 2022
Analysis of geological samples taken at the Beauvoir quarry was completed in early September 2022, with promising results regarding the quantities of lithium present underground. Further studies are planned to refine these estimates.
