Under Application


Exploring for Lithium in Herault


Transition Elements is awaiting the evaluation and decision on a licence application within mainland Europe. The project is currently at concept stage and is lithium-focussed. We hope to be able to carry out detailed data collection programmes next year.

The project has funding for Phase 1 exploration. This phase will consist of mapping and sample collection and will have no impact on the local environment. If the information gained from this exploration is promising, then a second stage will be proposed, but if not the project will end without any environmental impact. Any further work must apply for further permits and carry out further consultations before it will gain permission to proceed.


The application process involves a public consultation period where those who live in the project area and those who may be affected by the project can express their opinions and ask questions. We want to talk as many stakeholders as possible and we would be very pleased if you send us your questions about our project and our application.
We understand that people will be concerned about our plans and we would like to be clear on one point.

There will be no mine, no quarry, and no spoil heaps.


The project is looking at the possibility of lithium held in very deep brines, thousands of metres underground, far deeper than any water resource being used today and the brine will be put back when the lithium has been removed.

A good comparison is geothermal lithium extraction. Projects in Alsace are working in areas that have extracted very deep hot brines for decades and used them to generate power before putting the brine back underground. In these projects, the lithium extraction is just one more process the brine goes through before it goes back, causing little impact on the surroundings. In our case, eventually the warmth from the brine could be used for some heating.

There is currently no guarentee that the exploration will be successful in finding evidence of a viable lithium deposit. However, the exploration can bring employment and will provide useful information about the geology of the area, that will bring benefit to the area whatever the outcome.

You can watch a short presentation of the project and our plans here. This presentation is in French.