How Vulcan Energy & ABB Set the Bar for Sustainable Mining

Mining is one of the global economy's most carbon-intensive industries and has long been regarded as one of the most difficult sectors in which to reduce emissions.

Extraction, processing, refinement and transportation can all be dirty work, which is to say nothing of the manufacturing that mined metals and minerals are used for further down the supply chain.

Change is possible, though. Vulcan Energy, an Australian company with a global footprint, is a specialist in both lithium production and renewable energy and is looking to prove just that.

The firm is currently working to open a new mining facility in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. The project (which is named Lionheart) is a large-scale renewable lithium operation.

To oversee the project, Vulcan has appointed ABB. Through three contracts worth a combined US$50m, ABB will deliver all the electrical infrastructure for the site, powering Vulcan’s Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau, the Central Lithium Plant in Industriepark Höchst near Frankfurt, and the associated well sites.

ABB has been tasked with managing everything from high-voltage grid connections to facility-level electrical systems, creating the backbone for Vulcan’s clean energy network in Central Europe.

Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining & Materials at ABB, says the partnership demonstrates how electrification and renewable integration can reinforce Europe’s energy independence.

“The Lionheart Project is a blueprint for how clean energy and advanced electrification go hand in hand,” he says. “We are building the foundations for a stronger European battery supply chain, helping to meet growing demand for electric vehicles at a crucial point in the transition to clean mobility.”

Vulcan's connection to the EV sector

Once operational, the Lionheart Project is expected to produce 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) a year, which is enough to support the production of around half a million EVs annually.

The project stands out for co-generating its own renewable power, with a capacity to deliver 275 GWh of electricity and 560 GWh of thermal energy.

By supplying both heat and electricity, Vulcan’s facility supports industrial operations while directly feeding renewable power back into the grid. contributing to Germany’s clean energy targets and strengthening the resilience of its energy network.

The company has already secured long-term supply agreements with Stellantis, LG Corp, Umicore and Glencore, ensuring reliable lithium supply for battery manufacturing across Europe.

Speaking to Reuters, Francis Wedin, Executive Chair of Vulcan Energy, confirmed that construction is fully funded, with work beginning immediately. The work is expected to be completed in two and a half years.

Funding the next phase of electrification

Vulcan’s US$2.56bn financing package blends equity, grants and debt.

Up to US$709m has been raised through institutional placements, supported by 13 major financial institutions including the European Investment Bank.

The German government has also contributed US$122m in government grants under its national strategy to strengthen domestic clean energy supply chains and reduce dependence on imported raw materials.

The collaboration with ABB began through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2024, focused on improving engineering efficiency, streamlining procurement and cutting costs across Vulcan’s renewable power infrastructure.

"ABB’s expertise and systems give us the certainty to scale efficiently," explains Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO at Vulcan Energy.

"Together, we are establishing a robust model for industrial lithium production to meet market momentum while enabling battery supply chain decarbonisation at scale," he adds.

ABB technology to underpin clean energy goals

As the project moves toward full-scale construction, ABB is deploying a complete electrical suite spanning high, medium and low voltage systems.

Its technology includes switchgear, transformers, protection systems and uninterruptible power supplies – all designed to ensure reliable delivery from the 110 kV grid through to on-site processes.

ABB’s engineering teams will handle design, manufacturing, testing and commissioning, ensuring every component supports both operational efficiency and energy sustainability.

The company’s MNS low-voltage switchgear – trusted across global energy and industrial projects – sits at the heart of Vulcan’s electrical strategy.

With power demand surging across Europe and the need for local, renewable energy sources becoming more urgent, Vulcan’s Lionheart Project and ABB’s partnership mark a bold step toward bridging the gap between sustainable power generation and the electrified future of transport.