The Kolmozerskoye deposit contains 24.2% of Russia's balance lithium reserves with a lithium oxide content of 1.13% (at the level of world deposits). It is the largest lithium deposit in the country in terms of reserves, explored in the 1950s in the Murmansk region.
Preparation for development is being carried out by "Polar Lithium" LLC, a joint venture between Nornickel and Rosatom. At the end of February 2023, "Polar Lithium" received a license for the exploration and mining of lithium ores with associated components.
During this time, 184 wells have already been drilled at the Kolmozerskoye deposit. These are dozens of exploration, hydrogeological, and geomechanical wells with a total length of more than 40 km. The deposit was explored by Rusburmash and NN Technical Services.
Preliminary geological exploration data, which are currently being analyzed, look positive. Analysis of more than 50% of the selected samples has been completed. The ore bodies outlined in the 1950s have been confirmed, and new, previously unknown ones have also been identified. An increase in reserves and an improvement in ore quality are expected. The company is actively working on forming a raw material base for creating a full-cycle lithium industry in Russia "from mine to electric vehicle."
The All-Russian Institute of Mineral Resources (FSBI "VIMS") was involved in the development of a feasibility study and the presentation of new reserves for state expertise in mid-2025. Work is underway to select the optimal option for opening and developing the deposit; a situational plan for the location of the main production facilities of the future mining and processing plant is already ready. As noted in Nornickel, "the production will have no analogues in Russia and will set a new high bar for the industry".
Presumably, the Kolmozerskoye deposit will serve Russia for 40 years with a planned production volume of 2 million tons of ore per year and an annual production of 45 thousand tons of carbonate and lithium hydroxide. It will provide raw materials for the gigafactories for energy storage production being built in the country.
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