Resource

The Resource behind Vulcan's integrated lithium and geothermal renewable energy business.

Powering Europe’s energy and battery future

The Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field is the foundation of our growth strategy and the Resource that underpins our integrated lithium and renewable energy business.

Stretching across parts of Germany and France, the Upper Rhine Valley is one of Europe’s most prospective geothermal regions and hosts lithium-rich geothermal brine that provides the opportunity to produce both battery materials and renewable energy from the same natural resource.

For us, the Upper Rhine Valley is more than a resource. It is a long-term development platform capable of supporting multiple projects, production phases and decades of critical minerals and renewable energy supply to European markets.

What is the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field?

Deep underground, naturally heated brines circulate through geological formations containing dissolved lithium and geothermal energy.

These geothermal brines present a unique opportunity to recover lithium while simultaneously generating renewable power and heat. Unlike conventional hard-rock mining or evaporation pond operations, lithium occurs in dissolved form within the brine and can be extracted before the fluid is returned underground in a closed-loop process.

This unique combination of geology, lithium content and geothermal potential makes the Upper Rhine Valley one of the most attractive locations globally for integrated lithium and renewable energy production.

Location

The Upper Rhine Valley occupies a strategically important location within Europe’s industrial heartland.

Situated close to major automotive, battery manufacturing and chemical processing centres, the region provides a unique opportunity to develop a domestic source of lithium chemicals while reducing transport distances and strengthening supply chain security.

As Europe accelerates efforts to secure critical raw materials and reduce reliance on imported supply, the Upper Rhine Valley is emerging as one of the continent’s most important energy transition resources.

“One geological basin.
Multiple projects.
Decades of potential supply.”

Foundation of Lionheart and future growth

Lionheart serves as the first commercial development phase and establishes the operational, technical and commercial blueprint for future developments across the basin. As Vulcan advances additional opportunities within the region, we will leverage our growing knowledge of the basin, drilling expertise, proprietary technology and infrastructure network to unlock further value from this world-class resource. The ability to build multiple projects from a single geological basin creates the potential for long-term growth while maximising the benefits of existing investment and operational experience.

Lithium and renewable energy from the same resource
Strategic European location
Long-term development potential
Supporting energy and raw materials security.

Building from a world-class resource

Discover how Vercana's in-house drilling capability supports Project Lionheart and Vulcan's long-term development strategy.

Explore Vercana