Germany has confirmed the discovery of one of the largest lithium reserves in the world, with 43 million tons found beneath gas-rich lands in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, according to DW reports.
The international company Neptune Energy announced this reserve located in the Altmark region, known for housing the second-largest natural gas deposit in continental Europe.
With this news, local media indicate that the recent discovery positions Germany as a key competitor in the supply chain for electric vehicles and batteries, which could transform Europe's role in the global energy landscape.
Lithium is essential for the production of rechargeable batteries used in mobile phones, laptops, and electric cars, among many other applications.
The portal newsdigitales.com notes that this resource, dubbed the "white gold" of the 21st century due to its crucial role in the energy transition, has just added a new chapter to the global landscape.
It specifies that this discovery alone represents 86 percent of the resources available collectively among Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia, countries that make up the so-called Lithium Triangle.
It adds that South America has established itself as the global epicenter, with Chile in particular holding a privileged position due to the wealth of its salt flats—such as Atacama—which have made it the second-largest producer in the world after Australia.
Thus, according to the source, in a scenario where lithium is already synonymous with energy future, Chile's leadership faces the unexpected challenge of sharing prominence with Europe in this field.
On the other hand, the portal soy-chile.cl reports that Pamela Goicovich, President of the International Lithium and Energy Chamber (CIL Lithium), states that this news should be interpreted with caution.
Germany—according to the expert—lacks a mining tradition and faces a long road ahead before transforming these reserves into industrial production: "Years of investment, infrastructure, and environmental permits will be necessary," she noted.
She asserted that for Chile, a country with highly productive salt flats and decades of technological experience, this European discovery does not represent an immediate threat to its competitiveness.
"Thanks to our operational infrastructure and an established value chain, we can convert reserves into sustainable and high-quality production today, while Europe is just beginning its path toward industrial exploitation," said the President of the International Lithium and Energy Chamber, as cited by soy-chile.cl.
Source: Prensa Latina
