A giant lithium deposit has been revealed in Germany, one of the largest in the world. The energy company Neptune Energy confirmed the discovery of a lithium reserve of 43 million tons in one of the German states. The deposit, located in Altmark, a region with a 55-year tradition in natural gas production, has been recognized as one of the largest lithium reserves worldwide.
Neptune Energy, a UK-based oil and gas exploration and production company, recently disclosed that Germany holds one of the largest lithium resource bases in the world. According to estimates, the deposit contains 43 million tons equivalent of lithium carbonate (LCE), obtained after the company commissioned the international and independent assessment agency Sproule ERCE to conduct an official review of the resource in the Altmark area in northern Saxony-Anhalt, a region known for its 55-year tradition in natural gas production.
Until now, the basin was mainly known for its giant natural gas field, which was formerly one of the largest in Europe. Neptune Energy and its predecessors have extracted natural gas there since 1969. Now, new geological data show that the underground brines in the massive Rotliegend gas field are also very rich in lithium.
The 43 million tons of LCE positions the deposit as one of the largest lithium reserves in the world at a project level. For comparison, the “Lithium Triangle” in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile) holds about 50 million tons of the alkali metal, representing 53% of global lithium resources. The confirmed data in Germany positions it as a significant player in the market.
Green revolution in extraction methods
The discovery led Neptune Energy to shift its focus from fossil fuels to clean raw materials demanded for batteries. Instead of relying on traditional mining methods that harm the environment, such as open-pit mining or evaporation ponds, the company is now deploying a process called Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) from underground brines. This technique is designed to minimize land use and environmental impact, relying on advanced adsorption and ion exchange processes to separate lithium from the brines.
By August 2025, the company successfully completed its second pilot project, using DLE technology from its partner Lilac, and managed to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from the geothermal brines of Altmark. A third pilot, focused on an adsorption-based process, is currently underway.
Currently, Neptune Energy holds the Jeetze-L production license and three lithium exploration licenses in the Altmark area. If it receives the required mining approvals, the company plans to move to an integrated demonstration facility before full commercial operations begin. By adopting the DLE method, Neptune Energy positions Germany not only as a holder of a massive deposit of the most sought-after raw material for electric vehicles and rechargeable batteries, but also as a pioneer in green and sustainable extraction methods, which could significantly strengthen the battery supply chain in Europe.
Economic and strategic significance: European independence and the electric vehicle revolution
The discovery of such a large lithium reserve in the heart of Germany carries great economic and strategic significance for all of Europe. The vast lithium resources are expected to dramatically reduce dependence on critical raw material imports, particularly from China, which currently dominates most of the global battery supply chain. Germany, home to global car manufacturers, will become a central and reliable player in supplying raw materials for Europe’s green energy and electric mobility industries.
Early estimates suggest annual production capacity sufficient to produce batteries for about half a million electric vehicles (EVs). Thus, Altmark is not just a mining site but could become a key point to ensure long-term supply security and drive the continent’s green transition, while strengthening the local automotive industry and supporting the European Union’s climate targets. The project represents Germany’s transition from the gas era to the raw materials of the future, as well as Europe’s broader shift.