OGDCL, PINSTECH Partner to Develop Lithium Extraction Technology Following Major Discovery in Sindh
August 5, 2026 Admin
The partnership follows OGDCL’s confirmation of Pakistan’s first significant lithium discovery in geothermal brines at the **Wahid Bakhsh Well** in Khairpur, Sindh, where advanced geochemical analysis revealed a lithium concentration of **275 milligrams per litre (mg/L)**—more than three times the internationally accepted threshold of **90 mg/L** generally considered suitable for commercial evaluation.
Encouraged by the discovery, OGDCL has identified **eight to ten additional wells** in Sindh for geothermal brine exploration to assess the extent of lithium-bearing formations and identify further deposits of the strategic mineral.
Officials said the company is simultaneously advancing exploration activities while working with PINSTECH to develop indigenous lithium extraction technology, reducing reliance on imported expertise and supporting Pakistan’s long-term critical minerals strategy.
The discovery has also attracted interest from **Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC)**, which is exploring the potential use of locally produced lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and defence-related applications. Sources indicated that HMC is planning to establish a large-scale electric vehicle manufacturing facility, making domestic lithium supplies strategically important for Pakistan’s emerging clean-energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The lithium was identified through advanced geochemical analysis of formation water produced from a high-temperature geothermal well under OGDCL’s pilot geothermal programme. Company officials described it as Pakistan’s first confirmed occurrence of lithium in geothermal brines.
The breakthrough places Pakistan among a growing number of countries exploring geothermal brines as an environmentally sustainable source of lithium, a critical mineral that plays a central role in the global energy transition.
Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage systems, smartphones, laptops and other advanced technologies. Nearly **80% of global lithium demand** currently comes from the electric vehicle sector, with consumption expected to rise significantly over the next decade as countries accelerate the shift toward electrification and low-carbon energy systems.
Beyond batteries, lithium is also widely used in aerospace, defence, specialty chemicals, glass and ceramics, industrial lubricants, aluminium alloys, consumer electronics and pharmaceutical products, making it one of the world’s most strategically important minerals.
According to OGDCL, the lithium concentration recorded at the Wahid Bakhsh Well is comparable to higher-grade geothermal brine projects currently under commercial development in Europe and North America. Geothermal brines are increasingly regarded as one of the most sustainable sources of lithium because they enable simultaneous geothermal energy production and lithium extraction, reducing the environmental footprint associated with conventional mining.
Despite the promising discovery, officials emphasized that extensive scientific and technical work remains before commercial production can begin. OGDCL has launched a comprehensive evaluation programme that includes detailed brine chemistry studies, reservoir mapping, resource confirmation and economic feasibility assessments in accordance with internationally recognized standards. The company is also working with leading international consultants to ensure future resource estimates and feasibility studies meet global technical benchmarks.
If subsequent exploration confirms commercially recoverable reserves, the discovery could significantly strengthen Pakistan’s position in global critical mineral supply chains, attract foreign investment, support the development of a domestic battery and electric vehicle industry, reduce dependence on imported battery materials, and create new opportunities for industrial growth and exports.
The discovery also reflects OGDCL’s broader strategy of diversifying beyond conventional oil and gas exploration into geothermal energy and critical minerals—two sectors expected to play an increasingly important role in the global clean energy transition.
While commercial production remains subject to the outcome of detailed technical and economic studies, the confirmation of high-grade lithium concentrations in Sindh marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s mining and energy sectors and could position the country as an emerging player in the rapidly expanding global critical minerals market.
Story by Khalid Mustafa
