Arverne has commenced drilling operations on the first geothermal doublet production and re-injection wells at its Schwabwiller site in Alsace, France.
“This milestone crowns five years of intense effort and marks a major step forward in the industrialisation of the unprecedented Lithium de France project,” said Pierre Brossollet, Arverne’s founder and CEO.
On the surface, the two wells will be spaced 10 metres apart and will gradually move further apart to reach a spacing of 1 kilometre at a depth of 2,400 metres.
Drilling operations for the first doublet of the Lithium de France project will take place over a seven-month period.In a statement, the company said this initial drilling will confirm the flow rate, temperature, and lithium content of the geothermal fluid at the site.
The first phase will be crucial for collecting data that will help refine geological models and adapt technical protocols, it noted in a statement.
“The Lithium de France project will actively contribute to the energy transition by providing carbon-free geothermal heat to businesses, farms, and local communities in northern Alsace via a short supply chain,” the statement read.
The geothermal brines, rich in critical metals, will also be used to produce low-carbon lithium to support electric mobility, it added.
According to Brossollet, the project will enhance the attractiveness of the region, contribute to decarbonisation efforts, and generate nearly 200 direct jobs in the area.
The geothermal lithium produced will also have a reduced environmental footprint, with approximately 70% less CO2 emissions compared to the lithium currently available on the market.
“By combining geothermal heat and sustainable lithium extraction in Europe, this project embodies a new era of energy sovereignty and re-industrialisation for our country,” said Brossollet.
“This success is a testament to the ongoing commitment of our teams and the renewed confidence of our shareholders. It brings us closer to the final investment decision, an essential step in realising our ambitions.