About the Project

An innovation action for responsible copper and lithium

LiCuPlus — EU–Chile Strategic CRM-Partnership for Sustainable Industrial Solutions in the Copper and Lithium Value Chain including Minor Metals Recovery — runs for 48 months under Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL4-2025-01-62, Strategic Partnerships for Raw Materials.

The Challenge

Why LiCuPlus?

A responsible and diversified supply of Critical Raw Materials is essential to secure Europe’s technological sovereignty and enable the twin green and digital transitions.

Copper and lithium are listed as critical and strategic for their indispensable role in electrification, renewable energy grids, digital infrastructure, advanced battery storage and e-mobility. But secure supply is hindered on three fronts: lower-grade copper ores with rising arsenic and antimony impurities, complex lithium brines, and gaps in sustainability standards between the EU and third countries.

Copper ore grades have declined by more than 60% over the past century, while average lithium brine grades have fallen by more than 50% — making extraction progressively harder. Advancing and demonstrating innovative recovery technologies inside EU Strategic Partnership countries is therefore crucial to improve industrial viability and reduce environmental and social impacts.

Chile is the world’s largest copper producer and holds major shares of global lithium reserves, making it a pivotal player in securing Europe’s access to these materials. Its resource base, know-how and commitment to sustainability make it an ideal partner to demonstrate advanced recovery technologies that can later be replicated in other strategic countries — reinforcing the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.

At a glance

48 months

Duration — M1 to M48

19 partners

Germany, Belgium, Greece and Chile

975 PM

Person-months of effort across 9 work packages

TRL 4 → 7

From laboratory proof to large-scale demonstration

The Project

What is LiCuPlus?

An innovation action for the sustainable extraction and processing of copper and lithium, aiming to significantly increase recovery from complex, low-grade ores and brines.

For copper

LiCuPlus addresses the polymetallic nature of the raw material, where efficient treatment of impurities and minor elements raises overall process efficiency and lets greater volumes of copper be processed. It applies a portfolio approach tailored to EU–Chile partnerships, demonstrating integrated, low-carbon solutions that improve sustainability through impurity management, decarbonisation, SO₂ reduction, slag and residue upcycling, and efficient water use.

Novel pyro-, hydro- and biometallurgical routes advance towards CO₂- and SO₂-free primary cathodic copper production, while improved recovery from intermediate streams strengthens overall viability.

For lithium

LiCuPlus optimises recovery from underexploited Chilean brines with low lithium content and high Mg/Ca ratios. It demonstrates a replicable combination of Direct Lithium Extraction — adsorption, ion exchange and membranes — followed by processing to Li₂CO₃ or LiOH with minimal water use.

Metallothermic reduction is also tested for lithium metal production for advanced batteries. By 2029, LiCuPlus will have demonstrated large-scale (TRL 6–7) solutions across both value chains.

Approach

Two pillars,
nine work packages

The consortium reaches TRL 6–7 by working along two complementary pillars, with a dedicated management work package binding them together.

Sustainable and industrially viable processing

Strategic EU–Chile collaboration through a strong intercontinental and interdisciplinary consortium.
Demonstration of CO₂-, SO₂- and residue-free multi-material valorisation technologies for Chilean copper processing — increasing recovery, efficiency and responsible supply for EU users.
Demonstration of replicable technologies for efficient lithium processing and refining from Chilean reserves to Li₂CO₃, LiOH and lithium metal as battery precursors for EU industry.

Pathway to exploitation

Dissemination and exploitation strategies with validated business cases for industrialisation, engaging stakeholders to build acceptance of the processes and products.
Proven safety and sustainability of the processes through deliberate process design.
Enhanced circularity by reusing intermediate streams, cutting emissions and reducing water use.
Innovation driven by developing complete process chains for copper and lithium and their technological components.

Objectives

Seven objectives,
quantified throughout

Every objective carries measurable key performance indicators. Expand any objective to see the targets it is held to.

O1 Develop and validate sustainable primary copper production, from mining to cathodes

Pyro-, hydro- and biohydrometallurgical routes integrated with holistic modelling (WP1). Geometallurgical tools link the prediction of copper deposits to processing, estimating recoverable cathodic copper, accompanying recoverable metals and As/Sb levels to guide recovery or stabilisation strategies. Selective flotation separates As–Sb minerals for dedicated treatment; slag reduction recovers valuable elements; a novel zero-waste, zero-emission route and aqueous alternatives complete the portfolio.

Key performance indicators Geometallurgical analysis for >3 new Cu–As–minor metal deposits · concentrate with As <0.2% · internal slag recirculation cut by 50% with 90% Cu recovery from that stream and >15% for Ni, Sn and Pb · ≥90% Cu recovery into a Cu–Fe(–Mo) alloy with <20% Fe · no CO₂ or fugitive SO₂ emissions and <0.3% Cu in residuals · ≥90% Cu recovery and ≥70% chalcopyrite dissolution via aqueous routes, with ≥20% less energy and acid and 4–5N cathode purity.

O2 Validate combined processes for battery precursors from low-quality brines

Purification and concentration of lithium from low-quality brines with increased water recovery (WP2), producing Li₂CO₃, LiOH and lithium metal. The work covers alumina sorbent-based DLE for Chilean Maricunga brines, coupling of ion exchange and solvent extraction with adsorption, electrodialysis for direct LiCl-to-LiOH decomposition, membrane distillation, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis pre-treatment, forced evaporation, carbonation, and metallothermic reduction to lithium metal.

Key performance indicators Li recovery ≥90% with ≥70% less water than evaporation ponds · ≥80% adsorption capacity retained after 100 cycles · purified brine >5 g/L Li with Ca and Mg <400 mg/L · LiCl → LiOH decomposition efficiency ≥95% at ≥99% purity, with 50% less water and 30% less energy · membrane distillation to 20–30 g/L Li at 200–300 kWh/m³ · battery-grade Li₂CO₃ at >99.5% purity.

O3 Build a technology portfolio for arsenic, antimony and minor metal recovery

Treatment of concentrates and primary process streams (WP3): As-removal roasting, gas-phase capture as As₂S₃ or FeAsO₄ directly in the off-gas, selective alkaline sulphide leaching, bioleaching with stabilisation as scorodite, mapping of Chilean slags, tailings, dusts and sludges, and hydro- and electrometallurgical recovery of Cu, Fe, Mo, Co and Ni from Cu–Fe alloy.

Key performance indicators As <0.2% in roasting calcine with ≥95% removal from dust and concentrate · >90% As, Sb and Bi removal in the off-gas at >50% cost saving · >90% As and Sb solubilisation under bioleaching with demonstrated stabilisation · ≥90% Sb and ≥85% As recovery at ≥99% Sb₂O₃ and ≥95% As₂O₃ purity · Cu and CRM recovery from primary streams increased by 50% · ≥95% Cu recovery at ≥99.9% purity from Cu–Fe alloy, with ≥95% Co, Ni and Mo recovery and ≥95% Fe removed as high-purity iron phosphate.

O4 Scale key copper and minor metal technologies to TRL 6–7

Large-scale validation at partner pilot facilities (WP4): converter slag reduction in a DC electric furnace or TSL smelter at Aurubis, final slag reduction in the TUBAF TSL smelter, a 50 kg rotary kiln at UdeC for arsenic capture and stabilisation, the novel pyrometallurgical route in the UdeC fluidised bed reactor and TUBAF TSL smelters, alkaline sulphide leaching or bioleaching at scale, and germanium recovery at the EcoMetales pilot plant.

Key performance indicators Converter slag at 300–500 kg/h with up to 90% Cu recovery · final slag at 100 kg/h with ≥90% Cu recovery into the alloy · ≥95% As removal and fixation from smelter flue dust · fluidised bed reactor at <25 kg/h and TSL smelters at 10–100 kg/h with >99% SO₂ removal in a single step · alkaline sulphide leaching at 35 L or bioleaching at 2 m³ with >90% As and Sb recovery · production of 5N germanium.

O5 Demonstrate a full lithium refining line at TRL 6

A complete treatment line for low-grade brines producing battery-grade LiOH or Li₂CO₃ at a pilot installation hosted by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (WP5), scaling the adsorption and ion exchange stages, integrating electrodialysis, and scaling up carbonation of the purified brine.

Key performance indicators Material suitable for battery production — Li₂CO₃ for LFP and LiOH for NMC — at >99% purity · adsorption and ion exchange scaled to 1 m³/h with purified brine >5 g/L Li and Ca, Mg <400 mg/L · electrodialysis at 20 L producing LiOH at ≥99% purity with 50% less water and 30% less energy · carbonation to 99.5% purity Li₂CO₃.

O6 Assess the sustainability and safety of the processes and products

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of both production chains (WP6), demonstrating reduced impact on the environment, on social aspects, and on risks for workers and other stakeholders. Results are characterised according to the UNFC and UNRMS methodologies and analysed against standardisation requirements.

Key performance indicators LCA, LCC, S-LCA and eco-efficiency assessment giving a positive evaluation for both the copper and lithium production chains · risk management plan defined by M48.

O7 Disseminate outcomes effectively and validate economic feasibility

Business cases and exploitation strategies for industrialisation with validated models (WP7), an effective dissemination and stakeholder engagement strategy, and clustering with relevant projects and initiatives across Chile, the EU and other regions with EU raw materials partnership agreements (WP8).

Key performance indicators >4 EU–Chile events clustered with conferences in the EU and Chile, including EU Raw Materials Week and Expomin · >6 technical result showcases · >4 EU-project clustering workshops · 5 videos and 900 newsletter subscriptions · 6 open-access peer-reviewed publications, 20 industrial journal articles and 6 articles in official EU tools · 100 stakeholders and 100 researchers trained.

Work Plan

Nine interrelated
work packages

Five technical work packages carry Pillar A, three carry Pillar B, and WP9 provides management. Leadership is shared between European and Chilean organisations.

WP1 · Pillar A

Further development of primary Cu processing technologies

Geometallurgy, beneficiation, optimisation of the traditional pyrometallurgical process, the novel pyrometallurgical route, CFD modelling and hydrometallurgical processing of sulphidic concentrates.

Lead CODELCO230 PMM1–M36

WP2 · Pillar A

Further development of Li concentration and purification technologies

Characterisation of low-quality brines, adsorption and DLE technologies for fresh and post-adsorption brines, concentrated brine post-treatment, lithium carbonate production and metallothermic reduction to lithium metal.

Lead PUC113 PMM1–M42

WP3 · Pillar A

Enabling value chain integration of Cu and minor metals

Arsenic and antimony volatilisation during partial sulphur elimination roasting for concentrates and dust, and critical metal recovery from slags, dusts, sludges and tailings.

Lead TUBAF164.5 PMM12–M42

WP4 · Pillar A

Large-scale demonstration of Cu and minor metals production

Pilot demonstration of the partial roasting process, the novel oxidation–reduction pyrometallurgical route, a pilot rotary kiln for As, Sb and Bi capture, alkaline sulphide leaching or bioleaching, and germanium recovery from smelter flue dust.

Lead Aurubis176.5 PMM18–M48

WP5 · Pillar A

Large-scale demonstration of Li battery precursors

Purification of lithium brines by adsorption and ion exchange, treatment of purified brine to Li₂CO₃ and LiOH, and evaluation of the lithium products for application in lithium-ion batteries.

Lead Sunlight96 PMM36–M48

WP6 · Pillar B

Sustainability assessments and standards

Life cycle analysis, life cycle cost, social LCA, eco-efficiency evaluation, risk and occupational safety evaluation, and UNFC/UNRMS characterisation against standards.

Lead TUC43.5 PMM1–M48

WP7 · Pillar B

Business cases and exploitation for industrialisation

Intellectual property and innovation management, business models and cases, and roadmaps for the sustainable use of results.

Lead SEZ34 PMM1–M48

WP8 · Pillar B

Communication, dissemination and clustering

Stakeholder assessment, dissemination and communication activities, clustering with European, global and Chilean projects, and training and capacity-building actions.

Lead SE&C80.5 PMM1–M48

WP9 · Management

Project management

Overall project management, financial management and reporting, technical coordination including quality and risk management, advisory board engagement, and the data management plan including ethics.

Lead TUBAF37 PMM1–M48

Coordination

Led by industry,
coordinated by research

LiCuPlus is a demand-driven project led by its industrial partners — Aurubis, Sunlight, GEOS, CODELCO, ENAMI and EcoMetales. The consortium has appointed Prof. Alexandros Charitos, director of the Institute of Nonferrous Metallurgy and High Purity Materials at Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, as project coordinator.

Work package leaders support TUBAF in technical coordination. The steering committee, with representatives of every partner, is the ultimate decision-making body, and an advisory board of end-users, scientific and industrial experts ensures external views are continuously integrated.

Steering Committee

One representative per partner organisation. The ultimate decision-making body, safeguarding the interests of all partners.

Advisory Board

End-users, interdisciplinary scientific and industrial experts across copper and lithium mining, metallurgy, product manufacturing and sustainability.

Work Package Leaders

Responsible with the coordinator for verifying continuously that project goals and deliverables stay on track.

See how the technologies work

The Innovation pages set out each copper and lithium process route and how it goes beyond the current state of the art.

Innovation Consortium