Neptune Energy is currently developing a lithium extraction project in the Altmark Region (Saxony-Anhalt).
In August 2025, the company commissioned the international and independent valuation agency Sproule ERCE to determine the resource base for the project (CIM/NI43-101 standard).
As a result, the experts defined resources of 43 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
This means that one of the world’s largest project-based lithium resources is located in Northern Saxony-Anhalt.
Andreas Scheck, Neptune Energy CEO, explains: “This new assessment underscores the great potential of our license areas in Saxony-Anhalt. This enables us to contribute significantly to the German and European supply market for the critical raw material lithium.“
Neptune receives third exploration license
Neptune Energy currently holds the “Jeetze-L“ production license and three exploration licenses for lithium in the region.
The “Milde A-L“ and “Milde C-L” exploration licenses were already awarded to the company in 2024, and the “Milde B-L“ license in the southeastern part of the Altmark region was added in August 2025.
The Altmark region has more than 55 years of mining tradition with the focus on natural gas production. Neptune Energy and its predecessor companies have been producing natural gas here since 1969.
The company is committed to an environmentally friendly process known as direct lithium extraction (DLE) from brine – no open-pit mining, no evaporation ponds and minimal land requirements.
Third pilot project launched
The second pilot project for direct lithium extraction with technology partner Lilac was successfully completed in August 2025.
Battery-grade lithium was produced from the Altmark brine using an ion exchange process.
A third pilot project has been underway since mid-September to evaluate an adsorption process.
Subject to further mining permits the pilot phase will be followed by a demonstration phase in which the use of a fully integrated extraction plant will be tested as the next step towards commercial production.
“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,“ emphasizes Axel Wenke, Director of New Energy at Neptune Energy.
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