Imerys has secured a long-term mining concession for the Beauvoir lithium deposit in France, establishing the mineral rights foundation for its integrated EMILI project, which targets annual production of 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide.
The concession, valid until 2075, covers approximately 7.62 square kilometres across the Allier and Puy-de-Dôme departments. It grants mining rights over lithium, tin, tantalum and niobium, providing long-term access to the mineral resource.
EMILI is designed to integrate extraction, mineral concentration and chemical conversion within France. Its planned output of 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually could supply battery materials for approximately 700,000 electric vehicles per year.
Integrated Lithium Production in France
The project aims to strengthen Europe’s domestic battery-material supply chain by keeping both lithium extraction and chemical processing within the country. European battery manufacturers remain significantly dependent on imported lithium chemicals, making domestic production an important part of efforts to reduce reliance on overseas refining.
The concession represents a major regulatory milestone for EMILI, providing long-term security over Beauvoir and the legal basis for future extraction. However, it does not grant final authorisation for commercial mining. Further environmental, technical and operational approvals are still required. Imerys must also establish the financing structure for mine development, processing facilities and the associated chemical conversion plant in Saint-Victor.
Construction Financing Remains Outstanding
EMILI has received strategic backing from the French government and holds designation as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. This status can facilitate permitting coordination and improve access to financing institutions, but it does not represent committed construction funding.
No new construction-financing commitment was announced alongside the concession. The project must therefore demonstrate that regulatory progress can translate into a final investment decision and a fully financed development plan.
The economics of lithium processing will be central to that process. European developments face comparatively high labour, construction and energy costs, requiring competitive production economics to offset the disadvantages against international suppliers.
Imerys must establish a processing route capable of consistently delivering battery-grade lithium hydroxide at commercial scale.
Additional Metals Within the Beauvoir Mineral System
The deposit also contains tin, tantalum and niobium, which could contribute additional value to the wider development. Their economic significance will depend on achievable recovery rates and the specifications of the resulting products.
With the mining concession secured, EMILI has passed an important stage in establishing long-term control over its mineral resource. However, the outstanding requirements include completing the permitting process, securing construction financing and demonstrating the commercial viability of the integrated mining and processing operations.
