Esso starts lithium search in Lower Saxony: a new raw material horizon!

Esso starts lithium search in Lower Saxony: a new raw material horizon!

An exciting step into the future of e-mobility: The Exxonmobil daughter Esso Germany has received the green light for the search for lithium in Lower Saxony. According to the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG), four permit fields were approved on January 1, 2025. These are located in Emden, Aurich, Cloppenburg and Oldenburg as well as in the districts of Rotenburg (Wümme) and Heidekreis. The aim is to extract the coveted raw material, which is required for the production of powerful batteries, on which electric cars depend. "Lithium is an important raw material for the production of powerful batteries," explained LGEG-President Carsten Mühlenmeier in order to promote the exit from fossil fuels, such as electric car reports .

growth in the German lithium sector

The permits are initially valid for five years, but no actual degradation work is still allowed. ESSO also requires merging law operating plans and must wait for a separate participation procedure before the concrete examination acts can begin. Nevertheless, this signals progress in the area of ​​lithium funding, because the geological conditions in the northern German basin are considered ideal for gaining lithium resource -saving. This initiative is part of a broader strategy at Esso and Volkswagen, both of which rely on lithium. Volkswagen recently announced a significant investment in Patriot Battery Metals to secure access to one of the largest lithium resources of America and thus ensure the sustainable supply of their own battery ABRIKEN in Europe and North America, such as investing.com reports .

The permits first give the right to look for lithium in the areas mentioned, but no permission to promote the metal. It is planned that the lithium extraction is carried out by a sustainable process in depth bores, in which liquids are promoted from several thousand meters depth that contain lithium. This is done with the aim of sustainably covering the given demand for raw materials for electromobility and supporting the development of new battery technologies.