Germany could soon take a major step toward raw-material independence after energy company Neptune Energy reported discovering a huge lithium deposit in the Altmark region of Saxony-Anhalt. The find, if confirmed on an industrial scale, could transform Germany’s role in the global race for critical minerals — and potentially inject billions into the national economy.
A potential gamechanger for the automotive and tech sectors
Lithium is one of the most sought-after materials in the world — essential for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and renewable energy storage systems. For Germany’s automotive sector, which is under pressure to electrify and reduce reliance on Chinese imports, the Altmark discovery could prove strategically invaluable.
According to Neptune Energy, initial analyses suggest an estimated 43 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) — which would make it one of the largest project-based lithium resources worldwide.
Extracting lithium without mining
Unlike traditional open-pit or underground mining, the Altmark project is designed around a geothermal extraction process. The company plans to pump thermal water from deep underground to the surface, extract lithium using a specialized filtration system, and then re-inject the water back into the ground.
This environmentally friendlier approach could help Germany develop domestic resources without the ecological footprint typically associated with lithium mining in South America or Australia.
Billions in economic value and up to 1,500 new jobs
A recent economic forecast by consultancy IW Consult estimates that, if fully developed, the Altmark project could generate a gross value added (Bruttowertschöpfung) of around €6.4 billion between 2025 and 2042.
The analysis also projects the creation of up to 1,500 jobs across the region — spanning extraction, logistics, refining, administration, and support industries.
Gross value added represents the real contribution to the national economy after subtracting input costs such as energy, raw materials, and machinery. It includes salaries, corporate revenues, taxes, and local spending that remain within the country.
Early-stage project, cautious optimism from officials
The Ministry of Economic Affairs in Saxony-Anhalt confirmed that the project is still in an early development phase. A ministry spokesperson told German media that it remains too soon to determine whether the project can make a significant contribution to domestic and European lithium supply:
“A clear assessment will only be possible after the completion of the demonstration phase,” the statement said.
Neptune Energy has already completed three pilot projects proving that the extraction method works on a small scale. The next milestone is a demonstration phase to test the process under commercial production conditions.
If successful, full-scale extraction could begin around 2033, pending environmental and industrial approvals.
Towards strategic resource independence
The discovery comes at a crucial time for Europe’s green transition, as the continent seeks to secure its own supply chains for battery materials.
While the European Union has been heavily dependent on imports from China, Chile, and Australia, Germany’s potential domestic lithium source could strengthen its position in the global battery market and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical risks.
Experts caution, however, that large-scale extraction will require significant investment, infrastructure, and environmental safeguards. Still, the Altmark find represents a rare opportunity: a chance for Germany to produce the raw materials that power its industries — and its future.
