In a historic step towards making India self-reliant in clean energy, Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) and Altmin have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up the country's first large-scale battery-grade lithium refinery in Hyderabad.
Key facts about the project
- The partnership was announced in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy during the Telangana Rising Summit. Key highlights of the project are:
- Total investment: ₹2,250 crore
- Production capacity: 30,000 tonnes per annum (lithium carbonate)
- Operational target: Refinery expected to be operational by 2027
- Partnership: Joint Venture between SCCL and Altmin
- Its objective is to develop lithium refining domestically and implement advanced technologies based on global standards in India.
Strategic Importance: Reducing Import Dependence
Currently, India relies heavily on imports to meet its lithium needs. This refinery will play a significant role in changing this scenario, as follows:
- Clean Energy Transition: This refinery will ensure the availability of battery-grade lithium for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).
- Energy Security: Ensuring long-term supplies of raw materials from global resources will strengthen India's energy security. Additionally, dependence on refined lithium imports will significantly reduce.
- Local Manufacturing: Importing global refining technology into India will provide new impetus to the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' campaigns.
Project Benefits
- Integrated Ecosystem: The establishment of the refinery will attract significant investment in cell manufacturing, advanced materials, and clean mobility.
- Employment Generation: It will enable the development of high-level technical skills and the creation of thousands of new employment opportunities.
- Government Support: The state government will provide full support to the project through infrastructure assistance, rapid approvals, and ecosystem coordination.
Lithium
Lithium is a critical mineral that is central to electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and the clean energy transition. According to the government, developing battery-grade lithium refining in the country will help accelerate the growth of the EV and advanced battery manufacturing ecosystem.
