"Inside the industrial heartland where France wants to build a €1 billion lithium project," 5 October 2024

...A €1 billion lithium project due to become France’s largest mining operation... is provoking heated local debate.

Five months of public discussions in Allier... show the local population’s divide over the plan. During 42 events organised by the nation’s commission for public debate (CNDP), residents have voiced their concerns over issues including potential water contamination, hefty energy consumption and chemicals used in the process to mine and process the materials...

Because of the input of more than 3,600 participants, “Imerys won't be able to do whatever it wants," he added at the presentation of the debate’s outcomes last week. "The project will have to stay within limits.”...

Locals have also asked for studies on more than a dozen potential impacts of the mine on aspects like air quality, the security of storing waste underground and tourism in the region...

In a statement to Euronews, Imerys praised the discussions during the debate and spoke of a “shared objective… to respond to the ecological transition challenges of tomorrow in the most responsible and exemplary way.” The company will now “take note of the conclusions.”...

Despite local doubts, the French government... labelled the plans... a project of major national interest...