Saudi Arabia Extracts Lithium from Oilfield Brines, Plans Commercial Pilot Program

Saudi Arabia has successfully extracted lithium from brine samples collected from Aramco’s oilfields, and the country is set to launch a commercial pilot program for direct lithium extraction soon, according to Khalid Al-Mudaifer, the Saudi vice minister of mining affairs, as reported by several news agencies. The groundbreaking project is being led by Lithium Infinity (also known as Lihytech), a startup originating from King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), in collaboration with Saudi mining giant Ma’aden and Aramco.

According to the several news agencies, Al-Mudaifer shared the exciting development during a news briefing, highlighting that the new technology being used for lithium extraction was developed at KAUST and is currently undergoing accelerated development. "They are extracting lithium through their new technology, and they are in accelerated development in this regard," Al-Mudaifer said, as reported by several media reports. The commercial pilot program will use brine from the oilfields to continuously feed into the extraction process.

Lithium, a critical component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), laptops, and smartphones, is a highly sought-after commodity in the global energy transition. With the rising demand for lithium due to the shift towards electric mobility, this new initiative by Saudi Arabia could offer a significant boost to the country’s mining and energy sectors.

While the direct extraction of lithium from oilfield brines is more costly than the traditional method of obtaining lithium from salt flats, Al-Mudaifer expressed optimism about the project’s future. He explained that the high cost is currently a factor, but with the growing global demand for lithium, the project could soon become commercially viable. According to the several medias reports, he added, "If lithium prices grow, this project will become commercially viable," suggesting that the development could play a crucial role in meeting the world’s increasing demand for the metal.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy away from oil dependency and position itself as a leader in the global energy transition. The commercial pilot program marks a significant step in this direction, with potential long-term benefits for both Saudi Arabia and the global supply chain of critical minerals.

As the project progresses, it will also serve as a demonstration of the country’s growing technological capabilities in the mining and extraction sectors. The partnership with leading organizations like Ma’aden and Aramco underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing innovative solutions for sustainable resource extraction.