OGDCL, PINSTECH partner for lithium extraction

Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has signed an agreement with the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) to develop commercial-scale lithium extraction technology following Pakistan's first confirmed discovery of high-grade lithium in geothermal brines in Khairpur, Sindh.

 

OGDCL said geochemical analysis of the Wahid Bakhsh Well found 275 mg/L of lithium, well above the 90 mg/L threshold generally considered suitable for commercial evaluation. The company has also identified eight to 10 additional wells in Sindh to assess the extent of lithium-bearing formations.

 

The discovery has also attracted interest from the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) for potential use in electric vehicle batteries and defence applications. OGDCL is now undertaking reservoir studies, resource evaluation, and feasibility assessments to determine the project's commercial viability, with the aim of positioning Pakistan in the global critical minerals supply chain.