Key Takeaways
- Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) signed an agreement with Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (Pinstech).
- Pakistan's first significant lithium discovery was made in geothermal brines from the Wahid Bakhsh Well.
- The concentration is more than three times the international benchmark, prompting further exploration efforts.
Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has partnered with Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (Pinstech) to develop commercial-scale lithium extraction technology following a significant discovery in Sindh.
The state-owned company confirmed the first substantial lithium find after advanced geochemical analysis revealed concentrations of 275 milligrams per liter, more than three times the international benchmark of around 90 milligrams per liter.
OGDCL has identified between eight and ten additional wells for geothermal brine exploration to assess the extent of lithium-bearing formations and determine if commercially viable deposits exist.
As part of this initiative, OGDCL and Pinstech will collaborate on developing indigenous technology capable of extracting lithium from geothermal brines on a commercial scale.
The company has also launched a broader evaluation program that includes detailed brine chemistry studies, reservoir mapping, resource confirmation, and economic feasibility assessments in line with internationally recognized standards.
International consultants have been engaged to support future resource estimates and technical studies.
The discovery has attracted interest from the Heavy Mechanical Complex, which is evaluating the use of locally produced lithium for electric vehicle batteries and defense-related applications.
Lithium is considered one of the world’s most critical minerals due to its role in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices.
Nearly 80 percent of global lithium demand comes from electric vehicle batteries, with consumption expected to rise significantly as countries continue shifting toward cleaner energy systems.
