Europe's second largest lithium reserves are in Germany, and several companies are preparing to extract the important mineral. But locals in the mining region are up in arms, fearing a decline in tourism.

Berlin

A new lithium mining project is being proposed in the Ore Mountains region of Germany, with plans to extract up to 28,000 tonnes of lithium annually. The project, led by Zienwald Lithium, is expected to create hundreds of jobs and boost local tax revenue. However, local residents are divided, with some welcoming the return of mining as an economic opportunity, while others worry about potential threats to the area's tourism industry and environment. Concerns include possible impacts on groundwater, dust, and property, despite assurances from the company that most extracted material will be returned underground to minimize disruption. The local administration has chosen to remain neutral until the benefits clearly outweigh the costs.

Plans for German lithium mining prompt local protests

Deep in a mine, pioneer rocks glisten. It's a sign they contain lithium. Geologist Thomas Dietrich has been taking rock samples for years from here. We've been able to show that all in all we have 193 million tonnes of so-called measured, indicated ore resources here. One third is in Germany, two thirds on the Czech side. This is Marco Ulisch. He wants to extract what's held here. The CEO of Zienwald Lithium, a privately held company, wants to start work in 2030, with extracting 18,000 tonnes a year and then more than 28,000 tonnes. We want to build a whole mine beneath the village of Zienwald. We will extract rocks, then the raw ore will travel through a nine-kilometre-long tunnel towards Liebenau. That's another village here. There it will come above ground and straight into a processing plant, where the mineral ingredients are separated from each other and the lithium is extracted for the production of lithium hydroxide for making batteries. Around 400 jobs could be created, plus another 1,000 with suppliers. The problem? The locals aren't sure they want to see mining return here. Since 1991, when mining ended in the region, it has turned to tourism. And the ore mountains have been sold as a travel destination, a place for hiking in summer and skiing or sledding in winter. And while no one from the local citizens' initiative wanted to speak on camera, the town's deputy mayor shared how people here feel. There are people saying we have a mining tradition here. That's an opportunity for us. But there's others saying our nature, landscape and tourism is under threat. That's why we're against this project. It's a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it would improve corporate tax income, which would be very welcome news for our town. But a curse because we can't afford to undermine the tourism we have worked hard to establish over the past 30 years. And that's why it is our job as the town's administrators to stay out of the debate. As long as the benefits don't strongly outweigh the cost. And we're not there yet. The company's CEO is trying to address the concerns. He says that most of the extracted material will be returned to the mine so that, for instance, houses aren't affected. Something that has happened with ore extraction in other places, like a Swedish village which had to be evacuated and moved recently. People are worried. What will happen to my house and Zinfard? What's the impact on the groundwater? What about sand and mining dust blowing around? Those are all legitimate questions. But that's why it's important to establish such a mining project in Germany. To show people that we have rules and regulations in place. Back in the old mine, geologist Thomas Dietrich is sampling rock, hoping that this work isn't in vain and that Zinfard lithium will become a reality when extraction begins.

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