Nejčastější otázky

Is the chosen method of lithium ore extraction environmentally friendly? What will be the impact of mining on the surrounding area?

The extraction of the lithium ore will take place completely underground and will therefore have a minimal impact on the surrounding area. The material will be transported by cableway or a special conveyor belt, so there is no need to worry about an increase in traffic in the vicinity of the plant. If it becomes necessary to cut down some trees, we will plant ten new trees for every one removed.

The characteristics of the ore from the Cínovec deposit allow for a simple and safe processing process and an incomparably lower impact of mining activities on the environment and on the life of the inhabitants in the region than is the case with open-cast deposits around the world. We thoroughly and responsibly address all procedures with the Ministry of the Environment and the Czech Environmental Inspectorate. The environmental impact assessment is subject to the EIA process, which is open to public and municipal comments. We carefully analyse experiences from other projects and, together with experts from all over the world, look for ways to make production as environmentally friendly as possible. As part of the preparations for the lithium project, the intended option is to power the lithium park to the greatest possible extent with environmentally friendly, emission-free electricity.

Where will the planned mine be created?

It will be completely underground mining. The impact on the surrounding landscape will be minimal. The entire mine will be located underground at a depth of several hundred metres in Cínovec. An entrance to the workspace will be created on the surface of the mountain to minimise the impact on the landscape. A minimal impact on the landscape and the environment is our absolute priority. Therefore, most of the processes (e.g. crushing) will take place under the surface to keep the operation as quiet and clean as possible.

Where will the processing plant be built?

We plan to locate the second part of the lithium park, i.e. the processing plant, in the vicinity of the Prunéřov power plant; the processing plant would be built on ČEZ Group's land. The main objection of some municipalities to the project was the location of a lithium processing plant in Újezdeček. The company Geomet, which is implementing the project, has proposed the area around the Prunéřov power plant as a new location based on suggestions from earlier meetings with representatives of the region and municipalities; the processing plant would be built on ČEZ Group land. It is hoped that the change of location will speed up the permit processes that could delay the project. In the originally considered location in the Dukla industrial zone near the municipality of Újezdeček, only a transfer station will be built, from where the ore will travel by rail to Prunéřov.

How will the materials be transported to and from the Prunéřov plant?

Ore mined at Cínovec will be transported by cableway or conveyor belt to the transfer station in the Dukla industrial zone near the village of Újezdeček. From there, the ore will then continue by rail to Prunéřov. We will not use road trucks to transport the material and lithium products.

How will the mining take place? Is there a risk of tremors in the area?

The mineral extraction will be carried out solely by underground mining, using a traditional method called chambering (room and pillar mining). The ore will be mined by mining progressively larger chambers in a predetermined sequence. The excavated chambers are then completely backfilled with a special material. Backfilling is an environmentally friendly method because it increases the stability of the whole massif. There is no risk of tremors. The stability of the rock environment is ensured, among other things, by the backfilling of mining areas.

How many jobs will the project create?

The project itself will bring approximately 1,500 to 2,000 jobs, including several hundred jobs at the Prunéřov plant itself. Employees of all qualifications will find employment. In addition to workers with university degrees, the positions will be filled by current employees of coal operations that are being run down. We will take advantage of ČEZ's experience as one of the largest and best-rated employers in the Czech Republic.

Isn't there a risk of profits going abroad? The mining company is co-owned by Australians.

ČEZ, through Severočeské doly, holds a majority stake in Geomet, the company preparing the project. ČEZ is majority owned by the state, so lithium revenues will go primarily to the state budget. The state will also receive royalties from mining activities, a significant part of which will go to the budgets of local municipalities. The project also has additional added value in the form of infrastructure development, leisure activities and the creation of downstream jobs in the wider region in subcontracting and other activities.

How much money could municipalities get?

It is not yet possible to determine how much this will be. Lithium prices are evolving, and the start of production is still a long way off. Of course, we assume that the project will be profitable and we want the local citizens to benefit as much as possible.

However, the project may bring other benefits to the municipalities even before the lithium production starts, resulting from the partnership with ČEZ Group. ČEZ wants to be a good neighbour and significantly supports the communities around its power plants, mines and other operations.

The ČEZ Foundation's mission is to support public benefit projects that respond to current social needs. It develops education and sport, improves the environment and helps those in need.

For example, ČEZ regularly contributes to:

Municipal Infrastructure - contributions to build sewers, water mains, repairs to schools, local roads, playgrounds, sports fields, safe road crossings, equipment and other municipal infrastructure
Educational, cultural or social activities of municipalities and local associations (firefighters, hunters, etc.)
Sports events, sports clubs and their support
Increasing the availability and quality of social and health services (For example: A general practitioner's office, a dentist's office and a Post Office are available to employees and people from surrounding villages on the Temelín Power Plant site. We support local children's days, celebrations of the anniversary of the founding of the municipality, meetings of locals and various sports competitions and social or cultural events).
Improving the quality of the environment, planting rows of trees, regenerating forests

Since 2002, the ČEZ Foundation has supported projects in the Ústí nad Labem Region with a total amount of over CZK 379 million. Last year, we supported 252 projects in the region with nearly CZK 38 million.

Where will the soil from which the lithium is extracted be dumped? Will it be hauled away or will heaps be created in the area?

Material from the mine will not be stored on or adjacent to the plant site. About one-third of the material will be returned to the mine as backfill, while the rest will be hauled away to a brownfield site for storage.

What will be the dust and noise levels, how high will the facilities be in the area?

Our goal is to have a minimal impact on the surroundings and we adjust all planning accordingly. The project will also undergo a very rigorous EIA, which will assess all aspects of its impact on the surrounding area. Municipalities also participate in the EIA process. We carefully analyse experiences from other projects and, together with experts from all over the world, look for ways to make production as environmentally friendly as possible. We want to utilise modern circular economy practices to make as much raw material as possible usable, for example in the construction or ceramics industry.

Dust levels should not change from the current situation. Dust levels will be minimal due to the nature of the material used; dusty products will be stored in closed silos.
Noise levels will be in line with standards. We will implement state-of-the-art noise protection measures; specific recommendations will come from the EIA permit process.
The tallest buildings will be built as far away from the village as possible.

Will the project affect groundwater and spa water?

The project will not affect the spa waters, otherwise it would not have received EIA approval. We monitor all water sources and areas on the site closely to ensure that our activities do not impact them. This is helped, for example, by a network of boreholes and a special programme that simulates the behaviour of the water based on the data entered. The traditional spa industry in the Ore Mountains and respect for nature are as much a priority for us as they are for the local population.

What will be the impact of mining on the Ore Mountains? Is the project not in conflict with the intention to create the Krušné hory Protected Landscape Area?

The whole project will have no impact on the UNESCO listed monuments of the Ore Mountains. The region is on the list thanks to its mining tradition. It will be implemented as ecologically as possible to minimise the impact on the surrounding area. The entrance, on the other hand, could become an interesting tourist destination.

Will there be demand for Czech lithium, what if a new technology emerges?

Due to its properties, lithium is an irreplaceable element in lithium-ion batteries, which are the most commonly used type of battery today because their capacity and durability best meet the demands of modern technology.

New battery development projects are a long term process, and the vast majority of them continue to use lithium. The demand for Li-ion batteries in Europe is forecast to grow approximately tenfold by the year 2030, mainly due to the development of electromobility and the need for energy storage for renewables. By 2040, demand is expected to increase significantly, several times more.

Will lithium production be economically viable?

All current studies project a growth in demand for lithium. We are currently working on a final feasibility study which should, among other things, give a clear answer to this question. So far, all indications are that lithium production at Cínovec will pay off.

Will the backfill material transported by conveyor be pulverised?

The backfill will consist of a mixture from metallurgical processing (LCP) and mechanical processing (FECAB). The composition and moisture content of the mixture will guarantee there will be no dust. The backfill material will be certified as a product to meet all mechanical and environmental requirements (leaching tests) for safe use and long-term stability.