Potential lithium and magnesium deposit in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Arcore Ltd. has announced that it had found lithium carbonate, magnesium, and other mineral deposits in eastern Bosnia. Moreover, Arcore Ltd. confirmed its partnership with Rock Tech Lithium. The partnership will enable lithium products’ reliable and long-term value chain from the Lopare mine to the Rock Tech Lithium. The new value chain is estimated to be crucial for the vehicle batteries industry in Europe.

Lopare project

The deposit located in the north of Bosnia was evaluated and confirmed by an expert report in 2022. The Bosnia and Herzegovina mining authorities and The Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Industry under the leadership of Vedran Lakic also confirmed it.

According to the Arcora, international tests and evaluations, the total mineral resource base of the Lopare project is estimated at 1.5 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent, 14 million tonnes of boric acid, 35 million tons of potash, and 94 million tons of magnesium sulfate.

Future value chain?

Arcorara states: “The Lopare project has the potential to become one of the largest mines of its kind in Europe.” Moreover, it is “confident that it will be able to mine the raw materials in an environmentally and socially responsible manner from the end of 2026”.

However, it should be indicated that people who live in the region of the Lopare deposit are suspicious of the project. This is due to the protests that were organized in 2022 against the Jadar lithium project. On environmental grounds, the license granted to Rio Tinto has been revoked.