Polar Lithium, a joint venture between Norilsk Nickel and Rosatom's mining division, will develop Russia's largest lithium deposit, Kolmozerskoye.
The deposit is planned to process 1,96 million tons of ore annually and produce 45 tons of lithium carbonate and hydroxide. They are used, among other things, in the production of rechargeable batteries, an industry that is rapidly developing both in Russia and abroad.
Polar Lithium will create large-scale production - from mining and processing to the production of high-tech products. It is planned that more than 1000 jobs will be created. The enterprise will make it possible to replace imports to Russia of both lithium raw materials and battery components.
“The Kolmozero project starts at the right time. The demand for lithium in the production of electric vehicles and energy storage is growing rapidly. With lithium projects announced elsewhere, we need to move fast. Partnership with Rosatom provides the project with the maximum set of competencies and joint integration into all areas of the battery industry,” commented Sergey Stepanov, Senior Vice President, Production Director of Norilsk Nickel.
The auction for the right to use the deposit was held by Rosnedra. The starting size of a one-time payment amounted to 1,56 billion rubles, and the period of use of the site was 20 years.
“The development of the deposit will provide an opportunity to create the first domestic production of lithium-containing raw materials and, ultimately, a completely Russian production of high-tech products in the form of traction lithium-ion batteries,” said Igor Demidov, General Director of Polar Lithium.
Additional exploration of the deposit will begin in the coming months, it will be carried out by Nornickel Technical Services and Rusburmash (part of the mining division of Rosatom). Design and exploration works are planned to be completed in a few years. It is expected to reach the design capacity by 2030.
ABOUT KOLMOZERSKY
The Kolmozerskoye field was discovered in 1947. It is located in the Lovozersky district of the Murmansk region in the western part of the Keiv ridge near Lake Kolmozero. Mineral types at the site include lithium, beryllium, niobium and tantalum.