The EMILI lithium mine project in Allier is progressing! Follow its development through our EMILI & YOU Newsletter.
EMILI : Beauvoir Lithium Mining Project
Supporting the energy transition
At present, lithium processing is largely dominated by China (57% of global production), Chile (29%) and Argentina (9%). This quasi-monopoly means that Europe is dependent on imports of this metal, which is of strategic importance for the energy transition - lithium is one of the main components of the lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.
Studies carried out by Imerys since 2015 have confirmed the presence of a major deposit under the Beauvoir Kaolin Quarry site in the Allier department. Imerys proposes to seize this opportunity for France and Europe through the EMILI project (EMILI stands for Exploitation de MIca Lithinifère par Imerys), the first mining project of this scale in France for over half a century.
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
Discover the future sites of the EMILI project in 3D!
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Video presentation of the project