ABB and Savannah Resources to explore automation and electrification solutions

Under the early-stage agreement, ABB will apply its technical expertise to outline production control and process solutions for lithium concentrate production and integrated spodumene mining operations, in line with Savannah’s target of zero emission operations by 2030.

The Barroso Lithium Project is located 143 km north-east of Porto and is Europe’s largest known resource of hardrock spodumene lithium. Savannah’s objective is to develop an operation producing premium, carbon-neutral lithium concentrate as a strategic raw material in Europe’s EV battery supply chain. Local electricity, produced mainly from hydro, solar and wind energy with zero carbon emissions, would be used to provide power to the project. ABB’s technology solutions are well aligned and would maximise the use of the renewable energy and electrification to move the project towards carbon neutral production.

European lithium battery manufacturing is set for rapid growth and accelerating demand for lithium chemical production. This is driven by European Commission targets to make the EU carbon neutral and to reduce EU transport emissions by 90% by 2050.

Savannah is focused on responsible development of the Barroso Lithium Project by using 238 individual measures to eliminate or mitigate environmental impacts. These measures will be included in the Definitive Feasibility Study on the project, which Savannah is currently completing. This will also incorporate the actions from the current project decarbonisation study which supports Savannah’s commitment to target a zero-emission operation by 2030 or earlier. Savannah also places great emphasis on its social responsibilities and a comprehensive set of programmes have been designed to share benefits and opportunities with local communities.

David Archer, CEO, Savannah Resources, comments:

“ABB is at the forefront of the automation and electrification that is required for our decarbonisation journey.

“We are pleased to have their expertise as we continue to execute on our decarbonisation strategy to build Europe’s first lithium spodumene production facility, as a critical supplier of low carbon raw materials for more sustainable batteries.”

Frederik Esterhuizen, Hub Manager Central and South Europe & Australia, Process Industries, ABB, comments:

“The development of Savannah’s Barroso Lithium Project provides us with an additional opportunity to showcase ABB’s leadership in industrial automation and smart electrification in Europe, applied towards key operations for the emerging European battery supply chain.

“This is another step as we continue to enable more sustainable and fossil fuel free industrial operations.”

ABB will also work towards binding agreements with Savannah in relation to the electrification, automation, and digital solutions in the future.

 

Image: A vision of process plant operations at Savannah Resources' Barroso Lithium Project

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/04042022/abb-and-savannah-resources-to-explore-automation-and-electrification-solutions/