Projekt BRIDGE - Deutsch-chilenisches Institut für Elementextraktion aus Solen und integrierte geologische Lagerstättenmodellierung

The project BRIDGE (German-Chilean Institute for Element Extraction from Brines and Integrated Geological Reservoir Modeling) aims to intensify the German-Chilean collaboration through the creation of a virtual institute. Its scientific objective is to identify and evaluate techniques for the extraction of raw materials from fluids from different reservoirs in Germany and Chile. Relevant geological reservoirs in both countries will be characterised and modelled to understand their geochemical, mineralogical, petrological and structural properties, which directly influence the extraction of critical raw materials (CRM) such as lithium, potassium, manganese, strontium and bromine.

In Chile, the 23 salt flats released for commercial projects in 2024 will be explored, as research has mainly focused on the Atacama´s Salt Flat and Maricunga´s Salt Flat. In Germany, geothermal, oil and gas reservoirs with high dissolved CRM contents, whose mineral exploitation has not been the main focus so far, will be investigated. In parallel, state-of-the-art extraction techniques of Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) will be evaluated at selected locations in both countries, comparing their potential and limitations.

This collaboration aims to generate important knowledge for a sustainable and efficient extraction of CRM, relevant for the German and Chilean industries. Germany, as a major consumer of raw materials (especially lithium from Chile), and Chile, interested in diversifying the exploitation of its salt flats and adopting more sustainable technologies such as DLE, will benefit significantly from this partnership.

BRIDGE addresses the need to establish strategic partnerships to secure the supply of CRM, as highlighted in the European ‘Critical Raw Materials Act’. The project structure is divided into four work packages, including coordination and management, institutionalisation of the institute, determination of extraction potential and communication and dissemination of results. Joint research lines will be established and a scientific advisory board with industry representatives from both countries will be set up.

The project focuses on direct element extraction (DEE) from fluid reservoirs, investigating both the extraction technologies and their effects on the fluid chemistry and its interaction with the reservoir. It will identify potential target waters and elements in formations in Germany and Chile, evaluate existing extraction technologies and characterise geological reservoirs. Extraction and leaching experiments will also be carried out, transport models will be developed and economic and ecological considerations of the different approaches will be carried out.

The German partners are the Chair of Geothermal Energy and Reservoir Technology at the KIT and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). The Chilean partners are the University of Chile and the National Service of Geology and Mining (SERNAGEOMIN). The Chilean Chemical and Mining Society SA (SQM), the Institute for Applied Materials - Energy Storage Systems (IAM -ESS) of the KIT and the German Raw Materials Agencyr (DERA) of the BGR are also associated partners.

BRIDGE is expected to generate partnership structures in the field of critical raw materials and facilitate contact between industries in both countries. In the medium term, industries such as automotive, batteries, wind turbines and fertilisers could benefit from the extraction of CRM from fluids, a process that could significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The project aims to develop methods for the evaluation of fluid reservoirs with respect to the extraction of raw materials, which is of international interest. The high probability of success of the partner structure is based on the renewed German-Chilean partnership in the raw materials and energy sector, as well as on the investments in research and development in both countries.