France does not have a lot of lithium, but ideas

2023-05-12 15:51:00

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France has little or no minerals needed to manufacture batteries. Their supply becomes a major issue of independence.

The pair of Michel Revol and Olivier Ubertalli

A Sayona Quebec employee in front of a lithium deposit in Quebec.
© MATHIEU DUPUIS / SAYONA / AFP

Published on 05/12/2023 at 3:51 p.m.

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C’is the term of the moment: the “gigafactory”. These imposing electric battery production units are multiplying in France. Emmanuel Macron announces this Friday the opening of a gigafactory in Dunkirk, whose production should begin at the end of 2026. The investment is estimated at around 5 billion euros, provided mainly by the Taiwanese Proligium. The site, which could employ 3,000 employees, must equip between 500,000 and 750,000 cars per year.

Three other “gigafactories” will eventually see the light of day. France intends to establish itself as a major player in the manufacture of batteries, but has a concern: apart from a few sites, such as in Allier, the country does not have any mines capable of supplying the minerals necessary for the proper functioning of the batteries. . It is, in p…