Altmark Lithium Project: Major Economic Boost and World-Class Resource Discovery

Neptune Energy’s lithium extraction project in Germany’s Altmark region is emerging as a game-changer for the country’s critical raw materials strategy, with new studies revealing both massive economic potential and one of the world’s largest lithium resources.

43 Million Tons: A World-Class Discovery

In a significant milestone for Germany’s energy transition, Neptune Energy confirmed in August 2025 that its Altmark project contains proven resources of 43 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The assessment, conducted by internationally renowned independent valuation agency Sproule ERCE using CIM/NI43-101 standards, establishes northern Saxony-Anhalt as home to one of the world’s largest project-based lithium resources.

“This new assessment underscores the great potential of our license areas in Saxony-Anhalt,” said Andreas Scheck, Neptune Energy CEO. “This enables us to contribute significantly to the German and European supply market for the critical raw material lithium.”

€6.4 Billion Economic Impact

The project’s economic significance is equally impressive. According to a comprehensive study by IW Consult, if the project reaches its target production of 25,000 tons of lithium annually, it could generate a potential gross value added of €6.4 billion across Germany between 2025 and 2042. The project is expected to create up to 1,500 jobs annually.

Approximately two-thirds of this value—67.4 percent—will be generated directly in the Altmark region, potentially boosting regional gross value added by an average of two percent annually throughout the project period.

“Even though we are currently still in the development phase of the project, the socio-economic numbers clearly show the potential that lithium production will bring in the coming decades,” Scheck explained. “There could be significant positive effects for the Altmark region and beyond.”

Three Phases of Development

The economic impact will unfold across three distinct phases:

Development Phase (until 2028): Expected to generate €45.3 million in total gross value added, with significant contributions from raw material extraction, research, and information services.

Investment Phase (2028-2032): The total gross value added effect will surge to €852.6 million, driven by extensive infrastructure and technology investments. During this phase, more than 1,500 jobs per year will be linked to the project, with approximately 13 percent located in the Altmark region.

Production Phase (from 2033): Annual gross value added is projected at €548.8 million, with 75 percent generated regionally in Altmark.

Environmentally Friendly Extraction

Neptune Energy is committed to direct lithium extraction (DLE) from deep brine—a method that requires no open-pit mining, no evaporation ponds, and minimal land requirements. The company has been successfully conducting pilot tests with technology partners to refine the extraction process.

In August 2025, Neptune completed its second pilot test with partner Lilac, successfully producing battery-grade lithium from Altmark brine using an ion exchange process. A third pilot project launched in mid-September to evaluate an adsorption process. Following these pilot phases, a demonstration phase will test a fully integrated extraction plant as the next step toward commercial production, subject to mining permits.

Strategic Importance for Europe

The project addresses a critical vulnerability in Europe’s supply chain. Germany currently relies heavily on lithium imports for battery production, electric vehicles, and other industries.

“Lithium is a key raw material for numerous industries, especially for the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems,” explained Benita Zink, analyst at IW Consult. “The planned lithium mining in the Altmark region by Neptune Energy can make an important contribution to security of supply and help to meet European demand for critical raw materials through domestic production, thereby reducing risks from geopolitical dependencies.”

Global demand for lithium is expected to surge dramatically. According to International Energy Agency forecasts, demand could rise between 240 and 490 percent by 2035, depending on the scenario.

Building on Mining Heritage

The Altmark region brings over 55 years of mining tradition to the project. Neptune Energy and its predecessor companies have been extracting natural gas in the area since 1969, creating an established infrastructure and technical expertise base.

“The Altmark region combines geological potential, established infrastructure, and technical know-how—perfect conditions to successfully complete the transformation from natural gas production to environmentally friendly lithium extraction,” emphasized Axel Wenke, Director of New Energy at Neptune Energy.

Neptune currently holds the “Jeetze-L” production license and three exploration licenses for lithium in the region: “Milde A-L,” “Milde C-L” (both awarded in 2024), and “Milde B-L” (awarded in August 2025).

As Europe races to secure its energy transition and reduce dependence on foreign critical raw materials, Neptune Energy’s Altmark project represents a cornerstone of Germany’s strategy for domestic lithium production—combining world-class resources with significant economic benefits for a region with deep mining roots.