France has expanded its direct involvement in domestic lithium supply development through a planned equity investment in Imerys’ EMILI project, a lithium mining and processing initiative centered on the Beauvoir deposit in central France.
Banque des Territoires, acting on behalf of the French state, will invest €50 million in support of the project’s definitive feasibility study (DFS). Completion of the study is targeted for early 2027 and represents a key milestone ahead of a final investment decision. The investment marks a deeper level of state participation in the development of battery raw material supply chains within France and Europe.
Beauvoir deposit development and lithium production plans
The EMILI project is designed to extract and process lithium from the Beauvoir deposit, with the objective of supplying material for approximately 700,000 electric vehicles annually. Imerys is developing the project as part of an integrated lithium value chain linking mining, processing, and battery material supply within France and the broader European market.
The development plan includes an underground mining operation located beneath an existing kaolin mine, together with associated processing infrastructure required for lithium production.
Project cost increases and revised production timeline
According to Reuters, the estimated capital cost of EMILI has increased to approximately €1.8 billion, compared with an earlier estimate of around €1 billion. The production schedule has also been revised, with first output now targeted for 2030, compared with a previously indicated timeline of 2028. The revised capital and scheduling parameters place the project among a number of European lithium developments facing increased construction costs and extended development timelines.
Strategic supply objectives and development challenges
The project combines several themes affecting critical minerals development in Europe, including domestic supply security, permitting requirements, environmental review processes, and capital cost inflation.
While EMILI benefits from government backing, the project continues to operate within a framework that includes environmental scrutiny, public consultation, financing requirements, and exposure to lithium market conditions. The French state’s participation through Banque des Territoires aligns the project with broader efforts to strengthen domestic sources of battery raw materials and reduce reliance on imported supply.
Local-content proposals for European lithium supply chains
Imerys has joined other lithium-sector participants in calling for minimum European local-content requirements of 20% by 2030 and 40% by 2036.
The proposal reflects industry concerns regarding the competitiveness of European lithium production relative to imported material and highlights ongoing discussions around demand-side measures to support regional battery material supply chains.
Definitive feasibility study becomes next key milestone
With state-backed financing now committed to the study phase, the DFS scheduled for completion in early 2027 becomes the next major development step for the project.
The study is expected to provide the technical and economic basis for assessing the viability of constructing the €1.8 billion EMILI project, including development of the underground mine at Beauvoir and the associated lithium processing facilities.
