Portugal tenders2 Feb 2019 15:41
Originally set for prior to end 2018, not date set as yet. However there was an update on the original Reuters report that adds:
So far there are no facilities in Europe to refine lithium to battery-grade purity, and no large-scale battery production for cars, and the European Union is concerned that its carmakers will be over-reliant on imports from China.
“Portugal does not want to be a country that just drills holes in the ground and exports the ores,” Galamba said, explaining that 12 areas had been identified as likely to contain lithium-bearing minerals.
“So it is important to not multiply tenders, but have a single one ... with various lots, that would allow to attract these types of projects to Portugal. We are counting on launching it during 2019,” he said. He said the idea was to have one lithium refinery for a viable scale.
"So far there are no facilities in Europe to refine lithium to battery-grade purity, and no large-scale battery production for cars, and the European Union is concerned that its carmakers will be over-reliant on imports from China.
“Portugal does not want to be a country that just drills holes in the ground and exports the ores,” Galamba said, explaining that 12 areas had been identified as likely to contain lithium-bearing minerals.
Officials have said various international groups had expressed interest in exploring for lithium in Portugal, which is the world’s sixth-largest lithium producer, and Europe’s biggest. Its miners sell almost exclusively to the ceramics industry and only now are gearing up to produce the higher-grade lithium that is used in electric cars and electronics.
“So it is important to not multiply tenders, but have a single one ... with various lots, that would allow to attract these types of projects to Portugal. We are counting on launching it during 2019,” he said. He said the idea was to have one lithium refinery for a viable scale.
Officials have said various international groups had expressed interest in exploring for lithium in Portugal, which is the world’s sixth-largest lithium producer, and Europe’s biggest. Its miners sell almost exclusively to the ceramics industry and only now are gearing up to produce the higher-grade lithium that is used in electric cars and electronics.
A government study last year put the potential investment in five of the most attractive lithium-bearing areas at 3.3 billion euros. (Writing by Andrei Khalip; editing by David Evans)"
Obviously we continue to plough and progress MdB. As for the rest of the auction lots, they sound like they want a group to presumably to consider mining through to even finished cars. Connections with Porto Uni: possible sit of national importance: biggest exploration in Portugal for X years: lots of blue chip advisory local outfits. Wonder what it takes to be a part of such a group, even if only for some the mining part.
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