President Macron visited a major lithium mining facility in central France, highlighting the nation's renewed focus on resource extraction. The project is intended to boost domestic battery production and help France achieve energy independence.

France is going back to the mines. President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday visited a facility in central France run by Imerys, the leading French producer of industrial minerals and which is spearheading a major lithium mining project for battery production. The project promises to create hundreds of jobs and comes as France seeks to ensure its own energy sovereignty.