First Tin has signed an MoU with Ecobat Resources Frieberg to develop primary tin smelting in Germany.
First Tin owns the Tellerhauser project in Saxony, Germany, and is rapidly progressing the mine to an investment decision. The company is currently working on a Feasibility Study, with an aim to begin mining in 2025. First Tin aims to secure a mine-to-metal supply chain, and hopes that this new Memorandum of Understanding will push it towards this goal.
Over the next 18 months, First Tin’s German subsidiary Saxore Bergbau will complete a feasibility study into the possible combination of the two companies’ feedstocks. Should the study demonstrate that smelting from both primary and secondary feedstocks is viable, First Tin and Ecobat will jointly conduct engineering studies in 2023.
Ecobat is one of the world’s major lead-acid battery producers, with facilities in Freiberg. Founded in the 14th century as a smelter, the Freiberg plant now recycles up to 75,000 tonnes of lead-acid battery waste annually.
Our view: While there is some refined tin production in Europe, the region continues to import some 30,000 tonnes of refined tin annually. Additional output on the continent can help shorten supply chains and reduce the impact of logistics issues, benefitting both companies and the environment.
