LITHOS: cost-effective processing and refining of lithium into lithium hydroxide from strategic European multi-mineral lithium hard-rock projects

LiTHOS supported documentaries:

Europe’s Mining Renaissance

In this 22-minute documentary Peter Tom Jones (Director KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals - SIM2 KU Leuven) searches for answers to Europe’s seemingly problematic relationship with primary mining of energy transition metals.

Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle

A tsunami of cheap electric vehicles from China could lead to a nightmarish de-industrialisation in Europe. Dr Peter Tom Jones, a well known climate author, is convinced that Europe has to take the full value chain back in its own hands, from mine to electric vehicle. He undertakes a road trip in the Nordic countries to visit iconic mines and show best practices. He talks to the indigenous Sami people and to European leaders.
  • Petrakis, E., Alexopoulos, I., Pantelaki, O., Karmali, V., Komnitsas, K. (2025). Advances in mineral processing of hard-rock lithium ores: A comprehensive review, Mining Metallurgy & Exploration. DOI:10.1007/s42461-025-01227-y

K. Komnitsas, Socio-environmental aspects related to the Implementation of strategic projects, 2025 OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities, June 2025 (download)

Public deliverables

Below you can find an overview of the project’s public deliverables to date.

D1.2 – Ethics Plan – download

D6.1 – Clustering Plan – download

D7.3 – Documentary – download

  • Press Release SIM²/SOLVOMET KU Leuven, Horizon Europe ENICON, EXCEED, AVANTIS, CICERO & LITHOS – Prometia – 15 March 2024 (READ)
  • VTT (LITHOS Coordinator) has published a press release on their development of “more efficient lithium recovery – driven by EU’s goal of increasing self-sufficiency in mining operations” – September 2024 (READ)
  • Press Release SIM²/SOLVOMET KU Leuven, Horizon Europe LITHOS & Horizon Europe EXCEED – 12 May 2025 (READ)