The resource

Second-largest lithium ore deposit in the EU

Located at the heart of Europe’s chemical and automotive industries, the Zinnwald Lithium project benefits from Saxony’s history of mining activity and existing infrastructure.

Located near Dresden in the east of Germany, the Zinnwald ore deposit is near the heart of Europe’s chemical and automotive industries, and 150 km from the nearest planned battery gigafactory.

Map v5

Zinnwald Lithium Project

LG
DISTANCE: 300km

Umicore Poland Sp. z o.o. - Nysa
DISTANCE: 375km

Impact Clean Power Technology S. A.

DISTANCE: 640km

Blackstone Technology GmbH | NL Döbeln
DISTANCE: 350km
Blackstone Technology GmbH | NL Döbeln
DISTANCE: 90km
Microvast GmbH

DISTANCE: 240km

Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg

DISTANCE: 245km

TESVOLT AG
DISTANCE: 240km
BASF Schwarzheide

DISTANCE: 120km

SVOLT Modul- und Pack-Montage
DISTANCE: 685km

ACC - Automotive Cells Company
DISTANCE: 620km

Leclanché GmbH
DISTANCE: 660km

BorgWarner Akasol GmbH
DISTANCE: 530km

VARTA Microbattery GmbH

DISTANCE: 465km

CATL / CATT Logistik und Warehouse Erfurt

DISTANCE: 250km

PowerCo SE
DISTANCE: 350km
Heide

DISTANCE: 650km

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0
tonnes lithium
carbonate equivalent
0 +
tonnes of LiOH
per annum
0 +
years life
of mine
0 +
electric car
batteries

The Zinnwald
ore deposit

This project has the potential to be one of Europe’s largest lithium producers, with a Measured + Indicated + Inferred resource of 2,662,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) according to the 2024 revised Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).

The 2018 MRE estimated an annual production of 12,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide. This equates to a mine life of at least 35 years and would produce enough lithium for up to 800,000 electric car batteries a year. However, based on the revised MRE, this number is expected to be significantly higher.

To gain a more detailed understanding of the Zinnwald ore body, in 2022/23 we conducted an extensive drill programme. A total of 84 holes were drilled, each to a depth of about 300m (roughly equivalent to the height of the Eiffel Tower), extracting a total of 27 kilometres of core samples for analysis. The results of the study are laid out in the revised mineral resource estimate.

Mineral Resource Statement for Zinnwald Lithium Project

Effective 20th February 2024

Classification Domain Tonnes Mean Grade Contained Metal
(Mt) Li (ppm) Li2O (%) Li (kt) LCE (kt)
Measured External Greisen (1) 11.3 3,420 0.736 39 206
Mineralised Zone (2) -  - - -  -
Internal Greisen -  - - -  -
Mineralised Granite -  - - -  -
SubTotal (1) and (2) 11.3 3,420 0.736 39 206
Indicated External Greisen (1) 2.1 3,510 0.756 7 40
Mineralised Zone (2) 180.0 2,120 0.456 383 2,037
Internal Greisen 14.6 3,320 0.715 49 259
Mineralised Granite 165.4 2,020 0.435 334 1,778
SubTotal (1) and (2) 182.2 2,140 0.461 390 2,077
Measured + Indicated SubTotal 193.5 2,220 0.478 429 2,283
Inferred External Greisen (1) 0.8 3,510 0.756 3 15
Mineralised Zone (2) 32.5 2,110 0.454 68 364
Internal Greisen 0.6 2,880 0.620 2 9
Mineralised Granite 31.9 2,090 0.450 67 355
SubTotal (1) and (2) 33.3 2,140 0.461 71 379

Source: Snowden Optiro

Notes

  • Mineral Resource statement has an effective date of 20th February 2024.
  • A Mineral Resource is reported using a cut-off grade of 1,100 ppm Li, which was calculated using the following assumptions: lithium hydroxide monohydrate price USD 23,800 /t, operating costs of USD $ 121.5/ t ROM; Li recovery of 69%; mining dilution and recovery of 10%.
  • The requirement of a reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction is met by having a minimum modelling width for mineralized zones, a cut-off grade based on reasonable inputs and an economic binding volume that lends itself to a potential scenario of underground extraction for undiluted in-situ resources.
  • The Mineral Resource is reported at a minimum of 20m below historical underground mine workings (to avoid historic underground workings), and within Germany only.
  • All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes.
  • Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding and use of appropriate significant figures.
  • LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent) calculation used – 5.323 x Li metal. LiOH*H2O (lithium hydroxide monohydrate) calculation used – 6.045 x Li Metal.
  • Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
  • The results from the stope optimization are used solely for the purpose of testing the “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” by underground methods and do not represent an attempt to estimate mineral reserves. There are no mineral reserves reported in this NI 43-101 resource update. The results are used as a guide to assist in the preparation of a Mineral Resource statement and to select an appropriate resource reporting cut-off grade. Stope optimisation does not represent an economic study.
  • The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
  • The Author is not aware of any known mining, processing, metallurgical, environmental, infrastructure, economic, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, or marketing issues, or any other relevant factors, that could materially affect the current Mineral Resource Estimate.

Potential
to expand

In addition to the area covered by the core mining license, we own the exploration rights for roughly 10 km2 in the area and are looking to identify additional lithium resources to extend the lifetime of the project.
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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.

Highlights of the March 2024 operational update

Exploring the implications of a larger total resource and a more efficient processing route backed by Metso of Finland. ...

Highlights of the revised mineral resource estimate

The Zinnwald deposit is now the EU's second-largest hard-rock lithium resource. What does this mean for the project? ...

Zinnwald Lithium & Metso Advance Joint Testwork Programme

With a vision to build a world-leading integrated lithium hydroxide operation that adheres to the highest environmental standards, Zinnwald Lithium ...

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