ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso has received approval from Germany’s State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) to explore lithium in Lower Saxony. The permit, covering four areas across 1,443 square kilometers, will be valid for an initial five-year period, starting January 1, 2025. However, Esso must first obtain approval for its operating plans under mining law before commencing any excavation. The timeline for this approval remains uncertain.
Lithium, a critical component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems, will be the focus of the exploration. LBEG President Carsten Mühlenmeier stated, “In order to phase out fossil fuels, we need alternatives. Lithium is an important raw material for the production of high-performance batteries, for example, to store energy produced from renewable sources.
It can be used in EVs and storage systems for photovoltaic energy.” He further emphasized the favorable geological conditions in northern Germany, which will enable resource-efficient lithium extraction with minimal land use.
The lithium extraction process will employ borehole mining, a method involving the extraction of liquids from several thousand meters below ground. Lithium-rich components will be separated, and the remaining fluids will be returned to their original underground layers.
Esso’s ambitions in the region are not limited to the current permit, with the company having submitted 19 additional applications for exploration licenses in Lower Saxony, which are expected to be decided soon.
