Lithium de France starts drilling of doublet for geothermal lithium project in Alsace, France
Geothermal drilling operations of Lithium de France in Alsace, France (source: Arverne)
Carlo Cariaga
25 Nov 2025
Drilling of the first doublet for the geothermal and lithium project of Lithium de France has started at the Schwabwiller site in Alsace, France.
The Arverne Group, through subsidiary Lithium de France, has started drilling operations of the first doublet for its geothermal heat and lithium extraction at the Schwabwiller site in Alsace, France. The wells will be drilled to depths of about 2400 meters, and drilling is expected to take place over a period of seven months.
Back in 2021, Arverne Geothermal changed its name to Lithium de France, marking a clear expansion of its business scope to low-carbon lithium extraction and production. The company has since completed several milestones, starting the construction of its lithium demonstrator earlier this year while raising capital through several funding rounds.
The initial doublet will provide critical information on the flow rate, temperature, and lithium content of the geothermal fluid at this site. This phase will be crucial for collecting data that will help refine geological models and adapt technical protocols. The two wells will attain a spacing of about 1000 meters at depth but will only be separated by 10 meters at the surface.
Drilling operations will contribute to gross business volume of the company in 2025 and 2026, reaching between EUR 25 million to 27 million or an increase of 45% to 55% from 2024. The project will also provide nearly 200 direct jobs in the area.
When completed, the Lithium de France project is expected to supply geothermal heat to businesses, farms, and local communities in northern Alsace. It will contribute to decarbonization efforts in the region, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to natural gas heating.
Moreover, lithium extraction from geothermal brines will produce lithium with a reduced environmental footprint. This translates to about 70% less CO2 emissions compared to the lithium currently available in the market.
“This milestone crowns five years of intense effort and marks a major step forward in the industrialization of the unprecedented Lithium de France project. By combining geothermal heat and sustainable lithium extraction in Europe, this project embodies a new era of energy sovereignty and reindustrialization for our country,” said Pierre Brossollet, Founder and CEO of Arverne.
“This success is a testament to the ongoing commitment of our teams and the renewed confidence of our shareholders. It brings us closer to the final investment decision, an essential step in realizing our ambitions.”
Source: Arverne Group via Business Wire
