Saudi Arabia Discovers Lithium Reserves in
Oil Fields
Saudi Arabia has discovered significant lithium reserves within its oil fields
near its sea, as Saudi Aramco, the Kingdom's state-owned petroleum and natural
gas giant, has successfully extracted lithium under a pilot project.
Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Mining Affairs,
revealed plans for a commercial pilot program to directly mine lithium,
signaling a shift toward embracing the global energy transition.
The extraction project will be spearheaded by Lithium
Infinity, also known as Lihytech, a start-up from King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology. In collaboration with Saudi mining company
Ma’aden and Aramco, the venture aims to harness innovative technology to mine
lithium from brine runoff in oil fields. “They are extracting lithium through
new technology developed at King Abdullah University, and the project is
advancing rapidly,” Al-Mudaifer stated.
The Deputy Minister also noted that a commercial pilot plant would soon be
operational at these oil fields. The brines produced as a byproduct of oil
extraction will feed this plant continuously, laying the groundwork for
large-scale lithium production.
While extracting lithium from oil field brine is currently costlier than
traditional methods like mining salt flats, Al-Mudaifer expressed optimism about
its commercial viability if global lithium prices rise. Saudi Arabia joins other
oil majors like Exxon Mobil and Occidental Petroleum in exploring cutting-edge
technologies to filter lithium from brine as the world shifts away from fossil
fuels.
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Aramco has confirmed its interest in lithium extraction, stating it is actively
assessing the presence of the metal in its fields. This aligns with Saudi Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader vision to transform the kingdom into a hub
for electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
Often referred to as "white gold" for its critical role in the global energy
future, lithium is poised to replace traditional fossil fuels as a key energy
source. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the backbone of modern technology,
powering everything from electric vehicles and smartphones to laptops and toys.
Renowned for their lightweight design, high energy density, and rechargeability,
Li-ion batteries are an efficient and cost-effective solution for a wide range
of applications. As fossil fuel reserves deplete, lithium’s importance is
expected to soar, making it a vital resource for the energy transition.