The mine
concept
Tradition and change: mining returns in a new form
The mine is located within a granted Mining Licence in a historic mining district with well-developed infrastructure. Our new project envisages a modern underground mine that will use innovative mining methods to extract the valuable raw material lithium efficiently and sustainably.
The location of the mine is determined by geology, not choice. A mineral deposit cannot be relocated; it must be mined where it naturally occurs. For our project, the lithium deposit lies beneath the village of Zinnwald, at depths of up to 300 meters below the surface. To minimise environmental and social impacts, we want to process the extracted ore into its final product as close to the mine as possible and aim to develop the processing facility in the vicinity of the village of Liebenau, near the top of the A17 Autobahn.
We will build a 9.1 km underground tunnel to transport the ore from the mine to the processing facility, reducing truck traffic and emissions. Once at the processing facility, a variety of processing techniques will extract the lithium from the host material.
Two mine accesses are planned for the underground mine: one decline access (6 m width by 5.5 m height) from surface to the top of the mine (the Zinnwald decline), and a tunnel from the lower levels of the mine towards the surface plant (the Liebenau tunnel).
Not all surplus material can be reused for backfilling as some underground areas, such as active tunnels and chambers, must remain clear. This material will need to be stored externally. Additionally, the crushing and processing of rock to extract lithium produces a coarse sand byproduct that is less dense and occupies more volume than the original rock. To manage this excess, a dedicated storage site will be established near the processing facility. Over time, we will seek to establish markets for this material that has the potential to be used in the construction industry, for example.
Why
Zinnwald Lithium?
Zinnwald Lithium is seeking to build a world-leading, highly economic business that will uphold high environmental standards. Find out more about the investment case.
