ASX- and Aim-listed European Metals has announced a substantial increase in planned lithium production at its Cinovec project, on the Czech-German border.

The company revealed on December 20 that yearly production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate is now forecast to reach 41 658 t, a 42% increase from earlier projections.

This output equates to about 36 670 t of battery-grade lithium carbonate. Run-of-mine (RoM) ore production will also rise by 42%, from 2.25-million tonnes a year to 3.2-million tonnes a year.

Notably, the company said, these enhancements are achieved without expanding the environmental footprint of the underground mine or altering the processing plant's head grade and recovery rates.

The expansion aligns with European Metals' commitment to support the EU’s goals of lithium self-sufficiency by 2030.

Executive chairperson Keith Coughlan highlighted the significance of the adjustments, stating that the increased output underscores the project's importance to the EU’s critical mineral supply chain and reinforces its role in advancing lithium independence.

The increase in RoM production is attributed to a shift in processing to the Prunéřov EPR1 site, which spans 36 ha – 50% larger than the previously designated Dukla site.

Mining consultancy Bara Consulting conducted a concept study exploring the feasibility of raising RoM output, while maintaining the same mine portal area, boxcut and twin decline system initially designed in the project's prefeasibility study (PFS).

The updated mine plan accelerates production, introducing inferred resources into the final eight years of mining. Over its 26-year lifespan, the project is expected to extract 74-million tonnes of ore, a 36% increase compared with the earlier PFS.

The enhanced production figures are part of ongoing work for a definitive feasibility study (DFS), scheduled for completion in mid-2025. The study incorporates optimised mining and processing strategies, leveraging advanced metallurgical test work that has achieved high lithium recovery rates.

European Metals' Cinovec project is central to meeting the region’s growing demand for battery materials. Located in a well-serviced mining region with robust infrastructure, the project has been identified as a cornerstone of the EU’s push for critical mineral supply security under the Critical Raw Materials Act.

This strategic expansion positions European Metals to address Europe’s escalating lithium requirements while supporting global efforts to achieve sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions, the company said.