Russian Companies Explore Lithium Extraction from Underground Water, 15 Licenses Issued

Russian companies are expressing growing interest in the potential for lithium extraction from underground water, according to the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources. The ministry confirmed to TASS that Rosnedra, the Russian Federal Agency for Subsoil Use, has already issued 15 licenses for prospecting, exploration, and extraction of lithium from industrial waters.

The Ministry noted that while there is significant interest from companies in this emerging field, actual lithium extraction from underground water has not yet commenced. The licenses issued focus on geological studies, including the search, evaluation, and eventual production of minerals from industrial underground waters.

The Ministry of Natural Resources also mentioned that the economic feasibility of lithium extraction will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for each deposit. This will involve a state examination of reserves, though no specific data on potential lithium reserves from industrial water has been disclosed.