Vulcan Energy has completed a production test at its flagship German lithium project, with flow rates further supporting the company’s Lionheart field development plan.
Vulcan completed a production test at the LSC-1b Sidetrack well, part of the Phase One field development plan for the Lionheart project in the Upper Rhine Valley.
The company tested the well’s production and flow rate performance, with results confirming and strengthening expectations of the Lionheart plan. Vulcan said production test equipment operated at maximum capacity, confirming strong well deliverability under constrained test conditions.
Phase one of Lionheart is designed as an integrated lithium and renewable energy operation targeting production capacity of 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), enough for 500,000 electric vehicle batteries per annum.
Vulcan CEO Cris Morena said: “Having already confirmed or exceeded expectations for reservoir quality in terms of permeability, lithium grade, temperature and pressure response, it is pleasing to see these successful production test results from LSC-1b, which was executed safely, efficiently and within budget by our in-house teams.
“The outcomes further de-risk the delivery and construction of phase one Lionheart, which is underway following the positive final investment decision in December 2025, and once fully operational in 2028, will serve Europe with sustainable, low-cost lithium for battery and electric vehicle production, with co-production of renewable heat and power.”
Lionheart’s first phase is fully financed following a €879m (A$1.45bn) debt commitment package secured in December 2025.
The company is targeting the first commercial production of lithium from phase one for 2028.
