Hanover-based Neptune Energy has confirmed a substantial lithium resource in Northern Saxony-Anhalt, totaling 43 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The independent assessment, carried out by Sproule ERCE according to CIM/NI 43-101 standards, identifies one of the largest known project-based lithium deposits in the world.
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.“
The company holds one production license, Jeetze-L, and three exploration licenses in the Altmark region. Neptune was awarded the Milde A-L and Milde C-L permits in 2024 and added the Milde B-L exploration license in August 2025. The Altmark region has more than half a century of mining history, primarily focused on natural gas production since 1969.
Neptune is developing its lithium extraction operations using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology, which minimizes land use and does not rely on open-pit mining or large evaporation ponds. This environmentally conscious method draws lithium directly from subsurface brine.
In August 2025, Neptune and technology partner Lilac completed a second pilot test for DLE, successfully producing battery-grade lithium carbonate via an ion exchange process. A third pilot phase, using an adsorption technique, began in mid-September. Subject to additional mining permits, Neptune plans to move into a demonstration phase to test a fully integrated extraction plant as the next step toward 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.
Source: Neptune Energy
