MINEX Forum

Tag: Landau

  • Vulcan Energy Finalizes Acquisition of Geox, Expands Lithium and Renewable Energy Footprint in Germany

    Vulcan Energy Finalizes Acquisition of Geox, Expands Lithium and Renewable Energy Footprint in Germany

    Vulcan Energy has successfully completed the acquisition of Geox GmbH, securing 100% ownership of its geothermal wells, renewable energy generation assets, and a geothermal and lithium licence in the Landau region of Germany. This strategic move consolidates Vulcan’s upstream Phase One assets and replaces the former Joint Venture and brine offtake agreements with Geox.

    The Landau site is also home to Vulcan’s Lithium Extraction Optimisation Plant (LEOP) and the future Geothermal and Lithium Extraction Plant (G-LEP), which are central to the company’s Phase One Lionheart Project. The project aims to produce battery-grade lithium for European offtake partners and deliver renewable energy and heating to local consumers.

    As part of its development plans, Vulcan will dismantle the existing geothermal power plant at the Geox site, ramp up brine production, and begin supplying baseload renewable heating to the City of Landau. The renewable heating portion of the project has already secured a €100 million grant from the German Federal Government.

    Vulcan estimates that 20% of its Phase One upstream brine production will come from the newly acquired licence area, reinforcing its mission to deliver zero-carbon lithium alongside sustainable energy.

    Managing Director and CEO Cris Moreno stated:

    “The completion of the acquisition of Geox is the final step in consolidating our upstream renewable energy assets for Phase One, streamlining operations, and an important pre-requisite to finalising our Phase One financing package. We are at an important juncture in the history of Vulcan and look forward to sharing more developments as we transition to the construction and production phase of the project.”

  • Vulcan begins commissioning of lithium extraction plant in Germany

    Vulcan begins commissioning of lithium extraction plant in Germany

    ASX-listed Vulcan Energy Resources has started commissioning of its lithium extraction optimisation plant (LEOP) in Landau at Upper Rhine Valley in Germany.

    Considered to be a milestone for Vulcan, the plant will extract, purify and increase the concentration of lithium chloride from brine. This phase is said to be a major step forward for the company and its zero-carbon lithium project.

    The start of the plant will enable the domestic supply independence of lithium, a critical raw material that is used in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

    Vulcan stated that the commissioning phase will continue until October, which is also when the first brine will be introduced into the plant to begin the lithium extraction process.

    Construction on the project began last year and was designed for optimisation, operational training and product qualification facility to provide commercial readiness by the end of 2025.

    Vulcan CEO Cris Moreno said: “By 2030, Europe is likely to face a significant lithium shortage, which could have serious implications for the European battery and automotive industries if domestic supplies are not realised. Vulcan is gearing up to be the first to produce lithium from Europe, for Europe, but also to be the first company worldwide to produce carbon-neutral lithium.

    “The start of the commissioning of our LEOP facility is a key step toward the implementation of phase one of our Zero Carbon Lithium™ Project, and in enabling a secure and independent European supply chain for lithium.”

    The initial phase of commercial operations at the plant aims to have a production of 24,000tpa of lithium hydroxide production, which will be supplied to off-takers in Europe.

    For lithium extraction from brine, Vulcan will use adsorption-type direct lithium extraction (A-DLE), which is claimed to have been commercially proven.

    The method can be deployed for low operating costs, more time efficiency and reduced carbon footprint compared to legacy industry methods for producing lithium. It will be powered using renewable heat instead of gas.