Russia plans to launch large-scale lithium production in 2030

Demand for lithium has surged in recent years as Russian companies work on the mass production of lithium batteries and electric vehicles.

Russia is set to begin large-scale lithium production by 2030, with a target output of at least 60,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate, the Ministry of Natural Resources announced on Monday. The initiative aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imports and bolster the domestic production of high-capacity electric batteries.

Russia’s Lithium Strategy and Global Market Dynamics

Lithium and other critical minerals, such as rare earth metals, have gained significant global attention. The U.S. and other nations have been working to counter China’s dominance in the sector by fostering production agreements with countries like Ukraine and Russia. Lithium, an essential component in electric vehicle (EV) battery production, is classified as a critical mineral by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Russia holds an estimated 3.5 million tons of lithium oxide reserves.

The USGS estimated Russia’s lithium reserves at around 1 million tons as of 2024, making it the 14th largest lithium reserve globally. Lithium oxide contains approximately one-third pure lithium, while lithium carbonate consists of around 20% pure lithium.

Government Commitment to Domestic Lithium Production

According to the ministry, industrial-scale lithium production in Russia will commence in 2030. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently urged an acceleration in mining lithium deposits to support national economic and technological growth.

Over the past few years, demand for lithium has surged, fueled by increasing efforts among Russian companies to mass-produce lithium batteries and electric vehicles.

“The country has traditionally relied on lithium imports, and it is now crucial to rapidly establish facilities to extract and process this strategically important resource,” the ministry stated.

Key Lithium Deposits and Operators

Russia has issued exploration licenses for three major lithium deposits:

• Kolmozerskoye (Murmansk region, northwestern Russia)
• Polmostundrovskoye (Murmansk region)
• Tastygskoye (Tuva region, bordering Mongolia)

These sites, along with their adjacent production plants, are expected to be operational by 2030. In 2023, Russia mined only 27 tons of lithium as a byproduct from an emerald deposit in the Ural Mountains.

Kolmozerskoye, holding about 25% of Russia’s known lithium reserves, is operated by Polar Lithium, a joint venture between Russian metals giant Nornickel and state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom.

Arctic Lithium, a private firm, holds the license for Polmostundrovskoye, while Elbrusmetall-Lithium, a subsidiary of the state-owned defense and industrial conglomerate Rostech, oversees Tastygskoye.

Implications for the Global Lithium Market

Russia’s large-scale lithium production will significantly impact the global battery and EV industries. The country’s efforts to expand lithium extraction align with a broader strategy to strengthen its position in the renewable energy and electric vehicle supply chain, reducing dependency on foreign sources.

With growing international demand for lithium and ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting global supply chains, Russia’s move to develop its lithium reserves may shift the dynamics of the global battery market. Industry analysts will closely watch how this development influences lithium prices, trade policies, and technological advancements in the coming years.