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Lithium mining in Altenberg: where there is now clarity - and where not yet

In Liebenau, representatives from the state directorate, mining authority and Zinnwald-Lithium answered questions from citizens about the planned mining. These were the topics.

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Man sieht Zinnwald Lithium-Geschäftsführer Marko Uhlig
The Liebenau local council invited Zinnwald Lithium Managing Director Marko Uhlig (at the microphone) and numerous representatives from the district and Free State to present the status quo of the planned lithium mining. Source: Egbert Kamprath

Siiri Klose

Liebenau. Liebenau is still considered one of two possible locations for the planned processing plant of Zinnwald Lithium GmbH (ZL). The other is in Bärenstein. ZL is currently preparing a concept with two variants for the State Directorate of Saxony, which will then subject it to a spatial impact assessment. "The aim is to find the most humane and environmentally friendly solution," said Joachim Brockpähler from the Regional Planning and Urban Development Department.

More than 180 interested citizens from the municipality of Altenberg attended the information event.
Source: Egbert Kamprath

The Liebenau local council invited him to an information event on Thursday evening as a representative of the state directorate, as well as District Administrator Michael Geisler (CDU), ZL Managing Director Marko Uhlig and the Head of the Legal Department of the Saxon Mining Authority Falk Ebersbach. The 180 or so members of the public who had come to the Liebenau Kulturscheune were thus able to hear a wealth of expertise on the legal and technical aspects of lithium mining - and answer their questions.

Citizens' questions on lithium mining

Is lithium mining in Zinnwald even worthwhile?

The second largest European lithium deposit is located in Zinnwald. If you include the area on the Czech side, it is the largest. The deposit promises an annual yield of around 12,000 tons of lithium hydroxide over a period of 35 years. "And that's in the middle of many potential customers," said Marko Uhlig. In addition to batteries, lithium is also a basic material in glass, ceramics and lubricants. Lithium is one of the critical raw materials for which it is the declared aim of the EU, Germany and Saxony to become independent of China "and to have a seat at the table when it comes to market prices", as Uhlig put it.

What are Zinnwald Lithium's current plans?

The company is not making any progress in preparing the variant test because it is working with the Finnish ore processing company Metso to develop a new processing method: "We are currently conducting leaching tests." Traditionally, after the lithium-containing ore has been pulverized into sand, a magnet is used to separate it from the waste rock, which is then heated and dissolved in water, "creating a lye solution from which the lithium hydroxide can crystallize out as a salt."

Marko Uhlig was not yet able to say anything specific about the location and water consumption of the lithium processing plant.
Source: Egbert Kamprath

Normally, lime and gypsum would also be added, but not in the Metso process. "This means less water, waste and energy, and the processing would also be smaller." However, because the tests are not yet ready for production, it is not yet possible to plan the processing properly, "nothing can yet be said about the size and water consumption," said Uhlig.

What to do with the waste rock and garbage?

Around 1.5 million tons of rock are to be mined in Zinnwald every year. "60 to 70 percent remains in the mountain to close the cavities," said Uhlig. Depending on where the processing takes place, 30 to 40 percent of the sand that remains after the magnetic separation of the lithium is to be deposited in the alluvial dump near Bärenstein or on a dump near Liebenau. "Of course, the subsoil of this dump would be stabilized beforehand," says Uhlig.

Water: How much lithium does Zinnwald need?

The audience frequently asked about the foreseeable water consumption of lithium extraction. As it was not yet clear which technology would be used, Uhlig noted that he could not yet say anything about this. Because there is no broad layer of earth above the granite and porphyry rock of the Erzgebirge in the Altenberg area, water would flow away quickly here, "what we do with the rock much further down has no influence on your well water." Water that would "flow" to his facilities would certainly be used. A man from the expert panel pointed out that this process water would be kept in circulation within the lithium extraction process.

Why is no reprocessing being sought in the Czech Republic?

As Geomet, a company owned by the Czech state energy company ČEZ, is also planning to develop the lithium just across the border, questions about cooperation arise. There would be a joint hydrological model, and compensation measures would also be planned across the border. However, processing is only economically and ecologically viable on each side. The further away the treatment plant is from the tunnel mouth, the more complex, expensive and burdensome the transport logistics become. For this reason, the old VEB Zinnerz site in Altenberg would not be an option: "All the rock would have to be transported along narrow, winding roads," said Uhlig.

Who is liable for any crack damage to houses?

There will be underground blasting - firstly for mining and secondly for tunnels. If the processing actually comes to Bärenstein, one is planned from Zinnwald to Altenberg. If it comes to Liebenau, the tunnel will run under Geising and Löwenhain to Liebenau. Could the necessary rock and earthworks lead to cracks in houses? And if so, does the burden of proof lie with the owners?

First of all, mines would only receive a permit if they provide the state with a guarantee beforehand. In the event of insolvency, this should ensure that a certain amount of money is still available for damage repairs, said Falk Ebersbach from the Upper Mining Authority. However, this is primarily a matter of landscape conservation. Once it has been established how the tunnels will run, inspections could be organized with a civil engineer before drilling to document their condition.

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