Vulcan Energy Resources has achieved a substantial 76% increase in the lithium brine resource estimate for its Mannheim project in Germany, spurred by new 3D seismic survey results. The updated estimate elevates the resource from 1,833 kilotonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at a 153 magnesium-lithium (mg/Li) ratio to 3,225kt LCE at 155mg/Li. Vulcan Energy Resources aims to decarbonise battery production via its world-first carbon-neutral, integrated lithium and renewable energy business. The company is listed on the ASX.
In addition to the lithium brine resource update, Vulcan has completed a maiden geothermal energy resource estimate for the Mannheim licence area within the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field (URVBF). This assessment is part of the company’s scoping study for the project, marking a significant step in advancing its pipeline of integrated lithium and renewable energy projects beyond the initial phase.
The large-scale in-place maiden geothermal resource is estimated at 2,848 petajoules (indicated) and 10,539PJ (inferred), with the company considering 171PJ (indicated) and 377PJ (inferred) as recoverable. Vulcan intends to supply baseload geothermal heat from the Mannheim resource to the district heating network of MVV Energie AG, a German energy company. Simultaneously, the company will extract sustainable lithium for electric vehicle battery production.
According to chief executive officer Cris Moreno, the URVBF represents the largest lithium resource in Europe and one of the highest-quality brine geothermal resources. He emphasises its importance for Europe’s energy and critical raw materials security, validating the company’s strategy to replicate the current phase into future phases.
