The history of Beauvoir kaolin

The industrial history of the Beauvoir deposit dates back to the second half of the 19th century with the discovery of kaolin, a rock whose clay mineral has been used for thousands of years in ceramics. The lithium-bearing granite deposit was identified in the 1960s.

The history of the Beauvoir deposit in Echassières in the Allier dates back to the Bronze Age, with a number of digs and excavations dating back to the Gallo-Roman period.

The site’s industrial history began in 1848 with the discovery of kaolin by Pierre-Antoine Jouhet, and the first mines were opened in 1852. 

1895 - 1995: 3 successive kaolin miners

From 1895 to 1984, SKB (Jouhet & Barberon) operated the site until Coframines, a subsidiary of the French Geological Survey (Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, BRGM), took over the business in 1984. In 1995, the business was sold to Denain-Anzain-Minéraux. 

2005: Imerys takes over

In 2005, Imerys bought the Beauvoir kaolin business and continues to mine and process kaolin there. The kaolin produced on the Beauvoir site is mainly used in tableware (65%) and floor tiles (29%). Imerys produces 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of kaolin annually. With around thirty employees on site, the Imerys teams have established strong bonds with the local economic and industrial fabric.

Lithium discovered under the kaolin quarry

Knowledge of the existence of lithium on the Beauvoir site dates back to the 1960s, when a lithium-bearing granite deposit was discovered beneath the quarry. 

In the past, the presence of lithium had not been a consideration due to insufficient demand. Changing market conditions, with lithium increasingly in demand, led Imerys to initiate new studies from 2015, the year in which Imerys obtained an Exclusive Exploration Permit for lithium. This permit was renewed in 2021, in order to carry out several drilling surveys. The results of these surveys confirm an economically attractive concentration and quantity of lithium.