Bravura to build Germany’s first lithium processing plant for EV supply chain

Oluwatosin Racheal Alabi -
Key Points
  • Bravura plans to build Germany’s first lithium processing plant by 2027, supplying local automakers.
  • The plant will process African-sourced spodumene concentrate into lithium hydroxide.
  • The project aligns with EU goals to localize 40% of lithium processing by 2030.

In a major boost to Germany’s electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, global mining company Bravura, owned by pan-African billionaire Benedict Peters, has announced plans to build a large-scale lithium processing plant in Germany by 2027. The facility, which will produce lithium hydroxide for EV batteries, aims to establish a direct African-German supply chain for German automotive companies, which have become increasingly reliant on secure sources of critical materials.

The plant’s final location is set to be determined in early 2025, with Bravura’s German subsidiary overseeing its development in collaboration with Dorfner Anzaplan, a German expert in mineral processing. This facility will allow Bravura to transport spodumene concentrate — a lithium-bearing mineral — from its African mining sites to Germany, where it will be refined into lithium hydroxide, bypassing third-party intermediaries and creating a streamlined supply chain for the automotive sector. Bravura aims to provide a dependable supply of lithium hydroxide directly to German auto manufacturers, integrating into the production network for EV batteries, an area currently dominated by Chinese suppliers.

Bravura’s plans also align with the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, which mandates that 40 percent of lithium processing be conducted within the EU by 2030 to reduce dependency on external suppliers and enhance supply chain resilience. At present, almost 95 percent of Germany’s lithium hydroxide is sourced from China, underscoring the strategic importance of Bravura’s project. With demand for lithium hydroxide projected to rise as the EU intensifies its renewable energy transition, this facility is well-positioned to meet Germany’s future requirements.

The project will be introduced formally at the BDI Raw Materials Congress in Berlin on Nov. 11, 2024, where industry leaders and policymakers will discuss the role of local supply chains in Europe’s EV market expansion. As part of the Peters Family Group (PFG), Bravura operates across Ghana, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, holding assets in lithium, gold, copper, and steel. Bravura recently launched Zimbabwe’s first large-scale lithium upgrade facility, announced at the Victoria Falls Mining Indaba, which will process over 5 million tons of ore annually, positioning Zimbabwe as a critical player in the global lithium market.

By establishing Germany’s first large-scale lithium processing plant, Bravura is strengthening its role as a key supplier of battery materials while advancing sustainable supply chain models between Africa and Europe.