Turkey's First Lithium Production Facility Opens

Eti Maden Tesisleri's lithium carbonate production facility opened today. The inauguration, attended by President Erdoğan via video conference and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez, took place in Eskişehir.

HISTORIC DRILLING RECORD BROKEN

President Erdoğan stated, "The Mineral Research and Exploration Institute has conducted two and a half times more drilling work in our term than in the previous 70 years. In 2.5 years, 4.4 million meters of drilling was completed, breaking a historic record. We particularly prioritize boron ore, one of our country's most strategic underground resources." Erdoğan noted that Turkey holds 73 percent of the world's boron reserves. Boron deposits contain lithium. Eti Maden has produced lithium carbonate by extracting boron and lithium from waste. We will now meet more than half of Turkey's lithium needs, which are currently entirely imported. Our project plans to source lithium for TOGG automobile batteries from this facility. This lithium will be used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The facility will also provide clean water. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez said, "Using 100 percent domestically developed R&D, we will produce lithium from liquid waste generated during refined boron production. This lithium production method is unique to Eti Maden and a world first."   [caption id="attachment_117775" align="aligncenter"] Photo: Pixabay[/caption]  

"OUR LITHIUM PRODUCTION FACILITY IS ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE"

"We implemented our lithium production facility with respect for nature, a recycling-focused approach and sustainable production principles," said Minister Dönmez, continuing as follows: "Waste from the existing stockpile area will be utilized to produce lithium, thereby reducing the need for new waste storage facilities. Our facility will process approximately 440,000 cubic meters of liquid waste annually and recover 90 percent of this waste. With reduced waste storage costs, we will save USD 1.3 million annually in storage expenses. This facility will support Turkey's vision projects and world-class endeavors, God willing. It will be an important step in realizing our ideal of a greater and stronger Turkey. Turkey's boron ore, Turkey's lithium, and Turkey's lithium will power Turkey's energy. God willing, we will also support future R&D and innovation projects to follow."   Source: Takvim