OGDCL confirms Pakistan’s first lithium discovery

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced a major scientific breakthrough by confirming

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has announced a major scientific breakthrough by confirming the presence of lithium in underground geothermal formation water, also known as brine. The discovery is the first of its kind in Pakistan and is being seen as an important step towards exploring new sources of critical minerals needed for clean energy technologies.

The discovery was made under OGDCL’s pilot geothermal programme. According to officials, advanced geochemical testing was carried out on formation water collected from a successfully tested high-temperature geothermal well. The analysis confirmed the presence of lithium in concentrations comparable to those found in some of the world’s well-known lithium-bearing geothermal brine resources.

Senior OGDCL officials said this is the first confirmed lithium discovery from geothermal brine in Pakistan. They described the development as a significant achievement for the country’s energy and mineral exploration sector. The finding places Pakistan among a growing group of countries investigating geothermal resources as a potential source of lithium.

Lithium has become one of the world’s most sought-after minerals due to the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies. It is a key component in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, smartphones, laptops and many other electronic devices. Global demand for lithium has increased sharply as countries move towards renewable energy and low-carbon transportation.

Experts say geothermal brine is emerging as an alternative source of lithium in several parts of the world. Unlike traditional mining, lithium extraction from geothermal water has the potential to combine energy production with mineral recovery, although commercial development requires extensive research and investment.

Officials stressed that the latest discovery does not mean commercial production will begin immediately. Further geological studies, laboratory testing and feasibility assessments will be required to determine the size of the lithium resource, the concentration of the mineral and whether extraction would be commercially viable.

The discovery is expected to encourage more investment in Pakistan’s geothermal and mineral exploration sectors. Researchers believe additional exploration could identify other areas with similar geological conditions and expand the country’s knowledge of its underground mineral resources.