OGDC Confirms Pakistan’s First Significant Lithium Geothermal Discovery

ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC) has announced a major breakthrough after confirming significant concentrations of lithium in formation water extracted during geothermal well testing, marking the first discovery of its kind in Pakistan.

According to the company, advanced geochemical analysis of produced formation water from a high-temperature geothermal well under its pilot geothermal programme revealed lithium concentrations comparable to higher-grade geothermal brine projects currently under commercial development in Europe and North America.

The discovery represents Pakistan’s first confirmed occurrence of lithium-bearing geothermal brines and highlights the country’s growing potential in the critical minerals sector.

Lithium is considered one of the world’s most important strategic minerals due to its essential role in manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, large-scale energy storage systems and other clean energy technologies. With global demand expected to rise sharply in the coming years, the discovery could strengthen Pakistan’s long-term position in the global critical minerals market.

OGDC noted that geothermal brines are increasingly regarded as one of the most environmentally sustainable sources of lithium production compared to conventional mining methods.

Following the initial findings, the company has launched plans for a broader technical evaluation programme to determine the size, continuity and commercial potential of the lithium-bearing resource.

The next phase of work will include detailed brine chemistry analysis, resource confirmation studies and commercial assessments in line with internationally recognized standards. OGDC said its technical teams are working with leading international consultants to support the evaluation process.

The company stated that the discovery highlights Pakistan’s untapped underground resource potential and reflects OGDC’s commitment to innovation in both the energy and mining sectors.

OGDC added that the breakthrough aligns with its long-term strategy of positioning Pakistan as a future player in the global critical minerals industry while supporting sustainable resource development and strengthening national energy security.