Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hamas: We will not abandon our people's national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved.
Hamas: We affirm that our people's sacrifices will not be in vain, and we will remain true to our pledge.
Hamas: The great sacrifices and steadfastness of our people have thwarted the Israeli occupation’s plans of subjugation and displacement.
Hamas: We salute our people who confronted the fascist occupation plots that targeted them and their national rights.
Hamas: We salute our people who have demonstrated unparalleled pride, heroism, and honor.
Hamas: We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, Al-Quds, the West Bank, and both inside and outside the homeland.
Hamas: We call on President Trump and the guarantor countries to compel the occupation government to fully implement the obligations of the agreement.
Hamas: We highly appreciate the efforts of the brotherly mediators in Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, and we value the efforts of US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war.
Hamas: We announce that an agreement has been reached, which entails an end to the war on Gaza, the withdrawal of the occupation, the entry of aid, and a prisoner exchange.
Hani al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: Allegedly, Trump is personally guaranteeing a halt to the genocide and an initial 70% withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, to be followed by a full withdrawal.

Europe seeking to expand lithium mining as cars go green

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Jan 2022 19:54
3 Min Read

With the world aiming for green cars in the near future as the threat of the climate crisis looms, Europe is seeking an expansion in its lithium mining despite warnings of the environmental repercussions.

  • x
  • Europe will not even meet more than 30% of its lithium, cobalt, and lithium needs in 2030 with demands expected to be 40 times higher by 2040
    Europe will not even meet more than 30% of its lithium, cobalt, and lithium needs in 2030 with demands expected to be 40 times higher by 2040

Europe eyes expanding its lithium mining and refining capacity and accustom itself to imports as the resource reportedly becomes vital in the fight against climate change.

Lithium, cobalt, and nickel allow electricity to be stored and transported, making the resources essential in the production of electric batteries as car manufacturers attempt to move from the polluting fossil fuels, which have been a major contributor to the climate crisis ravaging the planet.

Europe is mainly dependant on external sources for the precious metals key in the shift from fossil fuels.

Australia is the world's biggest producer of "white gold," whereas China homes 60% of global lithium refining, a process that transforms the metal into carbonate or lithium hydroxide.

Europe "really is not on the map" in terms of mining or processing lithium, according to Robert Colbourn, an analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

Despite having lithium mines and developing some, the lithium produced on the old continent is not of battery-grade, he said.

By 2030 Europe is probably going to need over 500,000 tons of lithium a year

The International Energy Agency predicts global demand for lithium will be 40-folds greater by 2040. Lithium produced in 2021 amounts to 475,000 tonnes.

Related News

Hamas, Resistance factions agree to Trump deal: Sources to Al Mayadeen

Trump hints at visit to Egypt amid ongoing Gaza truce talks

By 2030, Europe would not have even met 30% of its needs of the three metals-, a report submitted by the French government said.

"Our forecast is that by 2030 Europe is probably going to need over 500,000 tons of lithium a year, which is bigger than the world market today," said Colbourn, adding that battery production was driving the surging demand.

The European Union has recently added lithium to its list of critical metals.

The bloc does not know how to it will be supplying the planned 38 new electric plants across the continent with the required materials, with the French side stressing the need for strong measures as the 27 nation bloc prepares for the shift from oil to metals.

So far, France sees that the EU "[depends] far too much on external powers, especially China."

Europe's Mineral resources

Europe does not lack lithium, nickel, or cobalt, with deposits in Germany, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Serbia, and France, with the latter allocating some billion euros for the extraction or refining of the coveted metals.

Germany and Portugal have plans to expand mining and refining; however, this comes amid stark warnings over the adverse effects of increased mining activity on the environment, making the solution to the crisis a problem as well.

On September 11, around 2000 protesters marched through the streets of Belgrade demanding Serbia's government to take more action to prevent industrial pollution, with some denouncing plans by Anglo-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto aimed at establishing a lithium mine in the country.

Europe could also seek an increase in its lithium sources in Latin America. Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina form what is known as a "lithium triangle," which is the world's second-largest producer of the so-called "white gold".

Western aspirations to accessing Bolivia's deposits had led to a US-backed coup that forced former President Evo Morales to resign at the time.

  • United States
  • Lithium
  • Chile
  • Europe
  • China
  • Argentina
  • Bolivia
  • Australia
  • European Union

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS