KEY POINTS
- Rio Tinto and Green Lithium partner to build a lithium supply chain.
- Teesside lithium refinery to support UK and EU markets.
- Rio Tinto resumes the Jadar project to supply Europe’s lithium needs.
Mining giant Rio Tinto (ASX, LON, NYSE: RIO) and UK refinery developer Green Lithium are partnering to establish an end-to-end lithium supply chain to support the automotive and manufacturing industries in the UK and the European Union.
Rio Tinto and Green Lithium partner to build a lithium supply chain
“By building our refineries, we will accelerate the adoption of EVs and sustainable energy storage through the increased supply of low-carbon, battery-grade lithium chemicals,” Green Lithium CEO Sean Sargent said Tuesday.
The partnership aims to position Rio Tinto and Green Lithium to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicle metals. It also aligns with both companies’ goals of supporting decarbonization efforts and addressing the increasing need for sustainable battery materials.
Teesside lithium refinery to support UK and EU markets
According to a report by Mining.com, Green Lithium plans to build and operate a large-scale lithium refinery in Teesside, England. The facility will produce high-purity lithium chemicals for the UK and EU markets, using advanced technology designed for low-carbon processing of spodumene concentrate.
Europe’s demand for battery metals is growing, but domestic lithium refining capabilities remain scarce. Chinese companies dominate the supply chain, highlighting the strategic significance of Green Lithium and Rio Tinto’s partnership.
UK Industry and Decarbonization Minister Sarah Jones praised the partnership, highlighting its potential to strengthen the local economy and the UK’s critical minerals supply chain.
“It will not only support high-skilled jobs in the North East but boost our critical minerals supply chains as we continue to build a cleaner, greener future for our automotive industry and drive forward our mission to net zero,” Jones said.
Following the revocation of its mining license in 2022 due to widespread local protests over environmental concerns, Rio Tinto has recently stepped up efforts to revive its Jadar lithium project in Serbia.
Since then, the second-largest miner in the world has been advocating for the resumption of work on the project, aiming to establish Europe’s largest lithium mine.
In July, Serbia reinstated Rio Tinto’s license, although the company will need further approvals to move towards production.
The Jadar project has a projected output of 58,000 metric tons of refined battery-grade lithium carbonate per year, potentially enough to power 1 million electric vehicles and meet 90% of Europe’s current lithium needs.
