This publication is a collaborative effort by Friends of the Earth Europe, and the EEB.

This factsheet is part of a series of case studies on contested mining projects, developed by civil society organisations. The factsheets illustrate the structural problems associated with mining projects in Europe and beyond, with a view to integrate the experiences of front line communities in EU policies. This factsheet is part of a series of case studies on contested mining projects, developed by civil society organisations. The factsheets illustrate the structural problems associated with mining projects in Europe and beyond, with a view to integrate the experiences of front line communities in EU policies.

British mining junior Zinnwald Lithium Plc plans to develop a large lithium mine on the CzechGerman border. It is to be situated in and around the town of Zinnwald, which is part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

Zinnwald Plc’s economic assessment and resource estimate foresee an annual production of up to 18kt of battery-grade lithium hydroxide (20.45 kt LCE) over a 35-year mine life. According to the company, their mine would be the “second largest hard-rock lithium project in the EU.” To date, the company has not conducted a feasibility study on the economics of exploiting the low-grade ore body and the definition of key elements, such as the location of tailings and industrial facilities are still unclear. Despite this, the company applied to be designated as ‘strategic’ under the European Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).

The project has gone through bankruptcy and ownership changes and is facing growing opposition. Besides the lack of meaningful engagement, NGOs and local opposition groups point to the social, environmental, and transboundary impacts which would also harm protected sites and valuable habitats.

A few hundred meters away, in the village of Cínovec on the Czech side of the border, a CzechAustralian venture is planning Europe‘s largest lithium mine; aiming to process 3.2Mt/a. Geomet s.r.o. (which is owned by the Czech group ČEZ a.s. and Australian-based European Metals Holdings) Ltd. aim to exploit the same deposit as Zinnwald Lithium via underground mining from the Czech side. Geomet s.r.o. also applied to be designated as ‘strategic’ under the European CRMA.

The total, cumulative impact by both of Europe‘s largest two lithium proposals , mining the same ore desposit simultaneously, is fiercely opposed on both sides of the border. Both are located in populated areas, they will be situated adjacent to each other and drain from the same water resources. Neither the Czech nor German authorities have announced transboundary assessment procedures, although an EIA procedure for parts of the Czech proposal is ongoing.