Vulcan Energy has secured a second lithium production licence for its Lionheart project in Germany, removing another regulatory milestone on the path to targeted production in 2028. The Ilka licence is initially valid for six years, leaving a future consolidation and extension process still to complete.
- Second lithium production licence granted for Lionheart
- Ilka licence covers the Landau geothermal production area
- Licence runs until 9 September 2032
- Vulcan targets first production in 2028
- Phase One targets 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually
Second Lionheart lithium licence granted
Vulcan Energy (ASX:VUL; FSE:VUL) has secured its second lithium production licence in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field, giving the Lionheart project another important regulatory building block while construction and field development continue.
The licence, known as Ilka, was issued by the Mining Authority of Rhineland-Palatinate and covers Vulcan’s Landau geothermal production permit area. That area is already producing renewable heat, linking the new lithium approval to an operating part of Vulcan’s integrated energy platform rather than a purely undeveloped site.
Six-year approval leaves longer-term step ahead
Ilka is valid until 9 September 2032. Vulcan said it intends to combine the Ilka licence with its earlier LiThermEx lithium production licence and seek a single approval lasting at least 30 years, in line with the Lionheart Field Development Plan.
That longer-duration approval is an intended next step, not part of the licence granted in this announcement. The immediate milestone is therefore positive for project development, but the long-term operating tenure still depends on a future consolidation and extension process.
Lionheart retains 2028 production target
Vulcan continues to target first production in 2028. Phase One is designed for annual output of 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate, which the company estimates would be sufficient for about 500,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. The project is also planned to produce 275 GWh of renewable power and 560 GWh of heat annually over an estimated 30-year life.
Managing Director and CEO Cris Moreno described the second licence as another achievement for Lionheart and said construction remained on track. The next test for the project is whether that schedule can be maintained while Vulcan advances field development and works towards the planned long-term licence structure.
Bottom Line?
The Ilka approval strengthens Lionheart’s regulatory position, but Vulcan still needs to secure the planned long-duration consolidated licence before the project’s full operating life is legally aligned with its development plan.
Questions in the middle?
- Can Vulcan complete the consolidation and extension of the Ilka and LiThermEx licences before the current approval expires?
- Will construction and field development remain on schedule through to targeted first production in 2028?
- How closely will the eventual operating licence structure match Lionheart’s planned 30-year project life?