In Dubi, Tschechien, protestieren Hunderte gegen den geplanten Lithiumabbau nahe der deutschen Grenze. Das Projekt, das als strategisch wichtig für die EU gilt, verspricht Arbeitsplätze, weckt aber Erinnerungen an Umweltsünden und schürt Ängste vor Wasserverschmutzung.
India is set to approve a scheme offering production-linked incentives and waiving import duties on capital goods to establish domestic lithium and nickel processing facilities, aiming to reduce overseas dependence and build critical minerals capacity.
Zimbabwe is pushing to process lithium domestically, aiming for higher value exports. Major projects, often Chinese-backed, are increasing production, but concerns linger about infrastructure, community benefits, and over-reliance on China.
Semi-solid-state batteries, a hybrid between liquid and solid-state technology, offer improved safety and longevity over traditional lithium-ion batteries. Companies like Kuxiu, Ride1Up, and Giant are adopting them for power banks and e-bikes, driven partly by stricter regulations in China.
Independent experts have concluded that Donut Lab's "solid-state battery" is actually a conventional lithium-ion battery. The Finnish company allegedly raised $25 million from investors based on false claims about its battery technology.
India's Ministry of Mines is set to launch a new policy offering incentives for lithium and nickel processing, with an estimated outlay of Rs 3,000 crore. This initiative aims to bolster the domestic electric vehicle supply chain and support the nation's ambitious EV penetration goals by 2030.
Natrium-Ionen-Batterien rücken als Alternative zu Lithium-Ionen-Akkus in den Fokus. Ein Bericht des Deutschen Bundestages listet Nachteile auf, doch Forscher der RWTH Aachen und des Herstellers Hina zeigen, dass die Technologie in China bereits fortgeschrittener ist als angenommen.
Goromonzi, Zimbabwe, is experiencing a boom due to the Arcadia lithium mine, Africa's second-largest. A Chinese company, Zhejiang Huayou, operates the mine, extracting lithium crucial for electric vehicle batteries. China has established a near-monopoly, owning all six industrial lithium mines in Zimbabwe and investing heavily.
European auto suppliers may benefit from Chinese EV makers' expansion into the EU, driven by demand and local protectionist measures. Vulcan Energy Resources highlights opportunities for local inputs like batteries and lithium, despite EU restrictions on foreign investment.
Zimbabwe has exported its first consignment of lithium sulphate, a key component for battery manufacturing, from the Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe mine. This milestone follows the country's ban on raw mineral exports and highlights Zimbabwe's growing role in the global lithium value chain.
Chinese scientists suggest coal waste could be a significant source of critical metals, leveraging existing industrial infrastructure. However, challenges remain due to fluctuating coal quality affecting metal content in fly ash.
USGS studies reveal Appalachian Mountains contain 2.3 million tons of lithium, enough for 130 million EVs. Exploiting these deposits could reduce US reliance on imports from China, Argentina, and Chile, though environmental concerns exist.
Core Lithium has restarted mining at its Finniss project in Australia, south of Darwin, following a closure in 2024 due to falling prices. The company aims to leverage improved operating costs and strong current lithium prices of around $4,200 a tonne to mitigate commodity cycle volatility. The project includes a 12-month open pit operation and a future 10-year underground mine.
Core Lithium has restarted its Finniss lithium mine near Darwin, closed in 2024 due to price crashes. The company aims to improve operating costs and capitalize on current strong lithium prices, with plans for both open pit and future underground mining.
Indigene Gemeinschaften in Bolivien, Chile und Argentinien protestieren gegen den rücksichtslosen Lithium-Abbau. Sie kritisieren Umweltzerstörung und die Verletzung ihrer kollektiven Rechte durch internationale Konzerne. Die bolivianische Regierung hat Verträge auf Eis gelegt.
Residents plagued by dust from Australia's oldest and largest lithium mine say a plan for a free car wash by the mine's owner misses the mark.
FoI responses collected by insurer show brigades tackled 1,760 battery-linked fires in 2025, up 147% in three yearsFire brigades across the UK are tackling lithium-ion battery fires at a rate of one every five hours, figures show, as fire chiefs warn that public awareness and government regulation have not kept pace with the ubiquity of this new hazard.Lithium-ion batteries power most rechargeable devices including mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, toys and vapes, as well as ebikes, e-scooters and electric vehicles. Continue reading...
Energizer has announced a new line of lithium coin batteries it claims are the world's first to eliminate the risk of ingestion burns if swallowed. Its Ultimate Child Shield line includes three sizes available starting today - 2032, 2025, and 2016 - that are commonly used in devices like remotes, wearables, and trackers such as […]
A passenger's power bank ignited on an IndiGo flight after landing in Chandigarh, filling the cabin with smoke and forcing an emergency evacuation. Six people were injured during the chaotic exit, raising concerns about onboard safety protocols for lithium battery devices and post-incident handling.
Am 24. Februar 2026 hat das Jet Propulsion Laboratory der NASA in Pasadena erstmals einen magnetoplasmadynamischen Thruster mit Lithium-Metalldampf bei 120 Kilowatt getestet – mehr als das 25-Fache der Leistung aktueller elektrischer Triebwerke. Die Wolframelektrode erreichte Temperaturen von über 2.800 Grad Celsius. Für bemannte Marsmissionen wären jedoch 500 kW bis 1 Megawatt pro Triebwerk und über 23.000 Betriebsstunden nötig.
Das Jet Propulsion Laboratory der NASA hat am 24. Februar 2026 erstmals einen magnetoplasmadynamischen Thruster mit Lithium-Metalldampf bei 120 Kilowatt getestet – über 25-mal stärker als bisherige US-Elektrantriebe. Die in der 8 Meter langen CoMeT-Vakuumkammer erreichten Temperaturen von über 2.800°C markieren einen Meilenstein für bemannte Marsmissionen mit nuklear-elektrischem Antrieb.
Europa ist beim Lithium von Importen abhängig. Zwar gibt es in Deutschland große Vorkommen - der Abbau ist aber erst in der Vorbereitung. Finnland ist da weiter: Eine erste Mine hat die Arbeit aufgenommen. Von Christian Blenker.
US airlines are implementing new rules for portable chargers starting May 1, responding to rising lithium battery incidents. American Airlines limits passengers to two chargers with active ones in plain view. Southwest allows only one charger and prohibits overhead bin storage. United and Delta require chargers to remain within reach. The FAA reports 28 incidents this year, averaging nearly two per week, with over 700 since 2006.
