Germany has discovered one of the world’s largest lithium reserves, a development that could significantly change the global energy market. According to global energy company Neptune Energy, around 43 million tons of lithium carbonate have been found in the Altmark region of Saxony-Anhalt, northern Germany.
This area has been known for natural gas production for more than five decades, and the discovery is being seen as a breakthrough for Europe.
Currently, much of the world depends on China for lithium, a key raw material used in making electric vehicle (EV) batteries, smartphones, and renewable energy storage systems.
Experts believe that this new reserve in Germany could reduce dependence on Chinese exports and strengthen Europe’s energy security.
Neptune Energy CEO Andreas Scheck said that the discovery highlights the huge potential of the company’s license areas in Saxony-Anhalt. “This enables us to make a significant contribution to the German and European supply market for the critical raw material lithium,” he said. The reserve was confirmed after an independent evaluation by international agency Sproule ERCE.
The Altmark basin, where the deposit is located, has historically been one of Europe’s largest natural gas regions. Since 1969, Neptune Energy and its predecessor companies have been extracting natural resources from this site.
For comparison, the “Lithium Triangle” of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile holds about 50 million tons of lithium, accounting for nearly 53 percent of global reserves. Germany’s new find could therefore place Europe as a major player in the lithium market.
Shivam Verma is a journalist with over three years of experience in digital newsrooms. He currently works at NewsX, having previously worked for Firstpost and DNA India. A postgraduate diploma holder in Integrated Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Shivam focuses on international affairs, diplomacy, defence, and politics. Beyond the newsroom, he is passionate about football—both playing and watching—and enjoys travelling to explore new places and cuisines.
