Russia is targeting the production of at least 60,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate in 2030, as Moscow seeks to ensure the country’s technological sovereignty and reduce import dependency.

“The country has traditionally imported lithium, and today it is necessary to launch capacities as quickly as possible and increase the extraction and processing of this raw material, which is strategic for the economy,” the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources said Monday.

Russian lithium reserves are concentrated in three federal districts: Siberian (43%), Northwestern (34.4%) and Far Eastern (23%). The reserves are enough to produce 3.5 million tonnes of lithium oxide, the ministry claims.

There are 17 lithium deposits in the country, the largest of which is the Kolmozerskoye deposit in the Murmansk region. Alongside Kolmozerskoye, the ministry has issued exploration licences to two other deposits – Polmostundrovskoye in the Murmansk region and Tastygskoye in the Tuva region.

The Kolmozerskoye deposit, with 844,200 t of reserves, is managed by Polar Lithium, a joint venture between Russian mining giant Nornickel and state-owned nuclear energy firm Rosatom. A mining and processing plant is being built at the deposit, with industrial lithium mining expected to begin in 2030. It is anticipated to produce 45,000 t/y of lithium carbonate, Kallanish notes.

Exploration is currently underway at the Tastygskoye deposit, which is the second-largest deposit. Russian mining company Elbrusmetall-lithium holds the licence for the deposit, with a mining and processing plant planned to be launched no later than decade-end.

Meanwhile, Arctic Lithium plans to begin pilot production at the Polmostundrovskoye deposit this year, with the mining and processing plant to be launched by 2030.

The Russian government plans to invest RUB 145.6 million ($1.7m) for geological exploration at lithium sites in 2025, the ministry adds.

The announcement comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin last month offered the US access to mineral reserves, including in Russian-occupied Ukraine. The offer came amid negotiations between Kyiv and Washington over a potential minerals and security deal. Trump and Putin are set to speak on Tuesday.