New light on historical data
Steam’s studies integrated historical data from test wells drilled by ENEL in the 1970s and ‘80s – including the well-known Cesano sites – with new analyses that were supported in part by the very same ENEL engineers involved in the original test well projects. The historical data sources include the results of ground geophysics, drilling logs, brine analyses, and data from a geothermal pilot plant commissioned to extract brine, generate power, and reinject the spent brine.
Although ENEL’s original studies focused primarily on generating electricity from geothermal energy, Steam’s approach of using historical data to surface new mineral insights highlights the importance of securing local lithium supply chains to achieve stronger, more sustainable energy security both for Italy and Europe.
“Lithium made-in-Italy has great potential, particularly the volcanic-Tyrrhenian belt that extends from the north of Lazio to Campania [Campi Flegrei area],” said Paolo Basile, Steam’s Chief Geologist.
“As an Italian-born geologist, it is a dream project to study the geological processes behind Italy’s geothermal fluids and to then create specific conceptual models for our different reservoirs and systems. I say “specific models” because every lithium-rich geothermal system is different and requires custom-made extraction techniques specific to the chemical-physical characteristics of that system.”
The Steam report authors include geoscientists who worked on ENEL’s initial project and have firsthand knowledge of the geological data and the technical aspects of the historical work.
“Our work with Steam has uncovered a valuable body of data on the Cesano brines and the reservoir potential, with context and further insights being gained from the direct link with senior personnel who helped implement this work in the 70s & 80s,” commented Geraint Harris, Managing Director of Altamin. “Steam’s assessment has given us the strong justification to dramatically enlarge our ELs and the data provided has allowed us to engage Watercycle to commence DLECTM testing. We are aiming to rapidly advance these projects at a time when the EU and Italy are focused on developing critical resources of domestic lithium supply.”
Combining sustainability with innovation
Matteo Quaia, CEO of Steam, confirmed the importance of their work: “Steam is a full-service geothermal engineering and consulting company, which means we’re committed to uncovering every sustainable opportunity for accelerating the energy transition using surface and subsurface resources.”
“Lithium extraction from geothermal brines is vital for our vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future. The fact that our growing partnership with Altamin has identified so much potential for lithium in Lazio confirms to us that an integrated approach is the right approach. Geothermal power with environmentally friendly mineral production is a win-win combination in the fight against climate change.”
The brines sampled and analyzed by ENEL many times over a number of years indicated lithium content with a peak value of 250 mg/L. Some of the representative data are shown below:
Concentrations of dissolved elements in the Cesano reservoir brines (source: STEAM, 2023)
Impact and future outlook
As a result of Steam’s positive assessment and the positive environmental approvals for the EL applications, Altamin has now commissioned Steam to update the reservoir assessment of the contained energy and minerals to include all of the areas granted or under application.
Steam’s partnership with Altamin in this critical project aligns with the European Union’s objectives for sustainable and independent mineral resource development. It’s a strategic step towards enhancing Italy’s position in the global geothermal lithium market and promoting European self-reliance in critical mineral supplies.
The success of this project is set to pave the way for similar initiatives across Europe, underlining the importance of sustainable practices in the industry. Lithium’s role in the energy transition is crucial, given its extensive use in battery technology, essential for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles. Securing a local and environmentally friendly lithium supply is key to reducing dependence on imported minerals and bolstering Europe’s green energy infrastructure.
Against this backdrop, Altamin is currently having preliminary discussions with potential strategic partners, European funds and financial institutions regarding future funding, corporate and development options for the Lazio Geothermal Lithium Project. In parallel, Altamin is considering the future option to ‘spin off’ the assets into a new lithium focused company once key project milestones have been achieved, if this strategy provides a superior value outcome for Altamin’s shareholders.
