The Ore Mountains in Saxony, where I also sit with tuningblog.eu, has been known for tin mining since the Middle Ages. And it could soon be enjoying a new boom. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, mining in our region came to a standstill, but the growing demand for Lithium for the batteries of electric cars could revive it. The raw material, which is referred to as "white gold", is crucial for electromobility and the transformation towards a low-CO₂ economy.
Mining in the Ore Mountains because of lithium?
At the heart of the potential upturn is the company Zinnwald Lithium GmbH, which plans to mine lithium in the mountains around Altenberg. There are apparently large lithium deposits lying dormant there, which have so far gone unnoticed. The ore mineral Zinnwaldite The lithium contained in the Ore Mountains has attracted little interest for centuries. But today, when demand is increasing exponentially to ensure battery production, the Ore Mountains are once again in the spotlight.
Economic opportunities and challenges
Zinnwald Lithium plans to mine around 1,5 million tonnes of raw ore annually to produce 15.000 tons of lithium hydroxide which is enough for about one million electric cars the size of a Volkswagen ID.3 And if demand increases, the amount could even be doubled. The planned investments amount to over 500 million euros, and the company has already invested around 25 million euros in preliminary studies.
But there are many challenges ahead. The ecological impact of lithium mining and processing is a key issue. Citizens' initiatives and local politicians are already demanding that the project be implemented in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The revenue and the creation of around 400 jobs are viewed positively, but there are concerns that a new mine will disrupt previous investments in tourism.
Geopolitical importance and competition in Europe
Lithium is not only important for e-mobility, but also plays a role in the geopolitical disputes over dominance in technology production. Europe, which is striving to reduce its dependence on raw materials from China, sees domestic lithium mining as a key factor. By 2030, ten percent of the demand for strategic raw materials is to come from domestic production.
In addition to the Ore Mountains, there are other lithium deposits in Europe, including Portugal and in CzechiaAnd Serbia, a candidate for EU accession, even has the largest lithium deposits in Europe. The projects compete directly with the project in Zinnwald for investment and political support.
future prospects
However, the future of lithium mining in the Ore Mountains depends on several things. Firstly, the project must receive the official approvals, which could be accelerated under the European law on critical raw materials. Secondly, further financing is crucial. Support from the state of Saxony and access to the capital market via the parent company Zinnwald Lithium Plc are important building blocks. Citizens' Initiative in Altenberg continues to work towards an environmentally friendly solution that takes into account the preservation of the natural landscape and the interests of the local population.
Close cooperation with our neighbours in the Czech Republic could be one way to minimise the burdens and maximise the benefits. The hunt for "white gold" has the potential to make the Ore Mountains an important mining location again, albeit under very different conditions than centuries ago. The balance between economic opportunities and ecological challenges will be crucial.
