Russia has announced plans to commence large-scale lithium production by the end of this decade, amid efforts to reduce its dependence on imports and strengthen its position in the electric battery market. The government intends to produce a minimum of 60,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate annually in 2030, Reuters reported quoting Russian Ministry of Natural Resources.
The country’s lithium ambitions align with global trends, as demand for the metal—crucial for electric vehicle (EV) batteries—continues to rise. Notably, lithium oxide and lithium carbonate are key forms of the metal, containing approximately one-third and 20% pure lithium, respectively.
According to the US Geological Survey, Russia has the world’s 14th largest lithium reserves, estimated at around 1 million tonnes in 2024.
Plans to expedite the mining of lithium deposits were backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin last month, as the country seeks to boost its domestic production of lithium batteries and EVs.
“The country has traditionally imported lithium, and it is now crucial to launch facilities swiftly and increase the extraction and processing of this strategically important resource for the economy,” the news agency quoted the ministry as saying.
The ministry has granted exploration permits for three significant lithium deposits-Kolmozerskoye and Polmostundrovskoye in the Murmansk region, and Tastygskoye in the Tuva region near Mongolia.
Kolmozerskoye, home to a quarter of Russia’s lithium reserves, is managed by Polar Lithium—a joint venture between Nornickel and Rosatom. Arctic Lithium oversees Polmostundrovskoye, while Rostech subsidiary and Elbrusmetall-Lithium holds the Tastygskoye licence.
These sites, along with their adjacent production facilities, are expected to become operational by the decade’s end.
In 2023, Russia produced 27 tonnes of lithium, extracted as a byproduct from an emerald mine in the Ural Mountains.
In December 2024, Russia’s Rosneft signed a ten-year agreement to supply approximately 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil to Reliance Industries.
