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“We cannot both explain that we need lithium to run electric batteries and on the other hand, say ‘I want lithium, provided it comes from China'”, explained Tuesday on franceinfo the Minister of Ecological Transition.
“We need to repatriate part of our production, produce here”explained the Minister of Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, guest of franceinfo Tuesday September 26, after Emmanuel Macron’s announcement Monday September 25 of the launch of an inventory of mining resources – cobalt, lithium and natural hydrogen – everywhere in France.
According to the minister, it would be nonsense to “build an ecological transition in which we would find ourselves having to massively import products that come from the ends of the world, in planes or in boats that are loaded with kerosene, that is to say with a carbon footprint that would be particularly heavy.” Moreover, “Reindustrializing the country is a way of being part of a concrete ecology, good for jobs, but good for the planet too”defends Christophe Béchu.
A mine will open in Lozère
Lozère has lithium resources. Asked about having to explain to the inhabitants of this department that a mine will open near their homes, Christophe Béchu believes that it is necessary “coherence. We cannot both explain that we need lithium to run electric batteries and on the other hand say ‘I want lithium, provided it comes from China, that he comes from Africa and that he is not near us.’
The minister wants to reassure residents who may be affected: “We have standards, monitoring and processes to ensure that we respect the environment like in almost no other country in the world.”