Manikaran signs MoU to set up India’s first lithium refinery in Gujarat

The proposed lithium refinery, set up at a cost of INR 2,200 crore (US$296 million), will produce lithium hydroxide—a key component used in the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

January 5, 2022 Uma Gupta

The lithium refinery plant will be set up near the port area in Gujarat.

Image: NASA MODIS, Wikimedia Commons

Manikaran Lithium Private Limited, an arm of New Delhi-headquartered power trading company Manikaran Power Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Gujarat to set up India’s first lithium refinery in the State. This refinery will be set up at a cost of INR 2,200 crore. It will create about 1,000 direct and indirect jobs in the State. The proposed lithium refinery will produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide, a key component used in the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.

“We have shortlisted Gujarat to set up our plant in the next 3-4 years. This plant will be set up near the port area, where we have already identified the land. We are in the process of getting all the clearances to set up the plant in the shortest possible time,” said Navjeet Singh Kalsi, managing director, Manikaran Lithium Private Limited.

The MoU signing follows a study by Manikaran Power Limited and its partner Australian project development company Neometals to evaluate the feasibility of a lithium hydroxide refinery located in India.

The high-quality spodumene concentrate will be sourced across the world and locally sourced reagents would be used to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide in India, Manikaran Power Limited mentions on its website.

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