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Vulcan secures first lithium production licence for Lionheart project

17th March 2026

By: Creamer Media Reporter

     

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ASX-listed Vulcan Energy has been awarded a production licence for the Lionheart project in Germany.

The licence, granted in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, is the first of its kind issued in the region, Vulcan reported on Tuesday. 

The permit, known as LiThermEx, covers Vulcan’s Insheim geothermal production area, where renewable heat and power are already being generated. It has been granted for an initial six-year period, with the company targeting an extension to align with the project’s planned 30-year mine life.

The milestone further derisks the Lionheart project, which is already fully funded and under construction following the completion of a €2.2-billion financing package in December.

Lionheart is designed to produce about 24 000 t/y of lithium hydroxide monohydrate, while also generating renewable-energy co-products, including electricity and heat for local consumers.

“Securing the first lithium production licence within the Lionheart project marks another important milestone,” said CEO Cris Moreno, adding that the development would support the creation of a fully domestic lithium supply chain powered by geothermal energy.

Vulcan said additional lithium production licences were expected to follow across the broader project area as it advanced towards its targeted start of production in 2028.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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