Africa-focused minerals exploration and development company IronRidge Resources has been accepted as a member of the European Battery Alliance (EBA250), which is committed to driving a competitive and sustainable battery industry in Europe by 2025.
The EBA250 was launched in October 2017 by European Commission VP Maroš Šefčovič. Its purpose is to ensure that all Europeans benefit from safer traffic, cleaner vehicles and more sustainable technological solutions through the creation of a competitive and sustainable battery cell manufacturing value chain in Europe.
"In welcoming IronRidge to the EBA250 club, we recognise the potential and emerging importance of the West African region as a stable supply of raw materials for the European battery industry," comments EBA250 programme director Thore Sekkenes.
IronRidge CEO Vincent Mascolo notes that the company, which owns lithium projects in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, is delighted to have been accepted as a member of the EBA250, as this will broaden its market exposure at a time when Europe is emerging as the next epicentre for the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.
"With compelling benefits such as access to regulatory insights, business development opportunities and market intelligence, EBA250 membership will be highly valuable to the company as we continue to progress our Cape Coast lithium portfolio.
"We are confident in our project fundamentals and the projects' proximity to Europe is highly advantageous and may deliver multiple pathways through the value-adding vertical integration ambitions of the European Union," he adds.