The final conference of the EU-funded CRM-geothermal took place on 25 February 2026 in Offenburg, Germany, as an official side event of GeoTHERM. The event brought together more than 50 researchers and industry representatives to reflect on the project’s results and the broader prospects of co-extracting critical raw materials (CRMs) from geothermal fluids.
Photo credit: Anita Stein.
Across Europe and beyond, geothermal brines are increasingly being explored not only as a renewable heat source but also as a potential resource for lithium, helium, strontium, and other materials that are critical for the energy transition. Yet CRM occurrence is highly site-specific, and the economic feasibility of combined heat and mineral production has so far remained uncertain. CRM-geothermal is addressing this challenge through a holistic approach covering Europe and East Africa. The project established a comprehensive database and fluid atlas, investigated the geological origin and mobilisation of CRMs in different settings — from fractured crystalline rocks to deep sedimentary basins and volcanic systems — and developed innovative extraction technologies for selected raw materials. Economic, environmental and social dimensions were also assessed, with feasibility demonstrated at a pilot site in Cornwall.
The conference programme reflected this broad scope. Presentations explored CRM content and mobility in geothermal systems in Cornwall, Western Anatolia and the East African Rift, alongside AI-based methods for assessing lithium potential and microbiological processes affecting geothermal wells. Extraction technologies were discussed in depth, including adsorption techniques, biosorption approaches and helium recovery potential, as well as laboratory and mini-plant scale lithium extraction systems. A final session addressed economic and governance aspects, including the application of the UNFC classification framework to combined heat and mineral projects and the steps required to support geothermal lithium production.
Discussions made clear that while technological progress is significant, several hurdles remain before large-scale deployment can be realised. Technical optimisation under real operating conditions, improved operational credibility and greater transparency on capital expenditure are essential to strengthen investor confidence. Participants also emphasised that projects are not yet sufficiently mature for major financial instruments and that durable, industry-aligned policy frameworks will be crucial to enable “Made in Europe” lithium production. Emerging industrial initiatives lead by Vulcan Energy, Lithium de France, Eramet and Cornish Lithium were highlighted as important signals for the market, provided supportive policy conditions are maintained.
In addition, project coordinators Simona Regenspurg and Katrin Kieling from GFZ presented project results within the main scientific programme of GeoTHERM, further underlining the growing strategic relevance of CRM co-production in the geothermal sector.
The CRM-geothermal project is still running until January 2027. Final results will be disclosed in the coming months.
Please find a selection of pictures from the Final Event below (Photo credits: Tamás Miklovicz):
