Russia’s Natural Resources Ministry has announced plans to produce at least 60,000 tonnes (t) of lithium carbonate in 2030, reported Reuters.
This strategic move is aimed at reducing Russia’s reliance on imports and enhancing its capabilities in manufacturing high-capacity electric batteries.
The ministry disclosed that it has granted exploration licences for three sizeable lithium deposits – Kolmozerskoye and Polmostundrovskoye in the Murmansk region, and Tastygskoye in the Tuva region adjacent to Mongolia.
These deposits, along with their neighbouring production facilities, are set to be operational by 2030.
The Kolmozerskoye deposit, home to a quarter of Russia’s known lithium reserves, is managed by Polar Lithium, a joint venture between Russian mining giant Nornickel and state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom.
Arctic Lithium, a private entity, holds the licence for the Polmostundrovskoye deposit. Meanwhile, Elbrusmetall-Lithium, a subsidiary of the state defence and industrial group Rostech, has the licence for the Tastygskoye deposit.
The ministry said: “The country has traditionally imported lithium, and it is now crucial to launch facilities swiftly and increase the extraction and processing of this strategically important resource for the economy.”
Lithium and other critical minerals such as rare earth metals have become a focal point of international interest, especially as the US seeks to challenge China’s dominance in the sector.
Recently, US President Donald Trump outlined production deals to both Ukraine and Russia.
The US Geological Survey has ranked Russia as having the world’s 14th largest lithium reserves, estimated at approximately one million tonnes (mt) in 2024.
Russia’s lithium oxide reserves are estimated at 3.5mt. Lithium oxide contains approximately one-third pure lithium, while lithium carbonate comprises around 20% pure lithium.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasised the need for Russia to expedite its lithium mining initiatives to become self-sufficient and counteract the impact of Western sanctions.
In 2023, Russia’s lithium production stood at 27t, extracted as a by-product from an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains.
