The Polar Lithium enterprise (a joint venture between Rosatom and Norilsk Nickel) expects to put into operation the first stage of the mining and processing plant (MPP) at the Kolmozersky deposit in the Murmansk Region in 2026,according to Igor Demidov, the director of the enterprise who spoke at the Minex Russia 2023 forum.
The first stage of the MPP is designed to produce 400,000 tons of ore annually. With the commissioning of the second stage, scheduled for 2030, production will increase to 2 million tons.
"We planned to reach the design capacity by 2030, but we are now considering the option to launch the first stage in 2026-2027," Demidov said.
Reserves at Kolmozersky will provide up to 40 years of mine life at the planned capacity of 2 million tons of ore, or 45,000 tons of lithium carbonate per year, b-port.com reports.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
