The BRIDGE Project (German-Chilean Institute for Element Extraction from Brines and Integrated Geological Reservoir Modeling) is dedicated to the sustainable extraction of critical raw materials from deep fluids. The project focuses on the development of innovative technologies for direct element extraction and the evaluation of geological reservoirs in Germany and Chile. Critical raw materials such as lithium, potassium, manganese, boron, and strontium—commonly found in geothermal waters—are essential components of modern technologies. While Germany currently relies entirely on imports of these materials, Chile possesses significant reserves of lithium, primarily extracted from salt flats (salars). The project's goal is to investigate alternative and sustainable methods for recovering these critical elements from hydrothermal fluids and to establish a geoscientific foundation for their industrial utilization.
A central component of the project is the detailed geochemical, mineralogical, and structural characterization of the investigated reservoirs. Geothermal fluids from both Germany and Chile are analysed, and geochemical modelling is conducted to determine their chemical properties and assess their implications for potential extraction techniques. In parallel, the efficiency of both existing and newly developed extraction technologies is systematically compared.
Another key research objective is the investigation of water–rock interactions in the subsurface, particularly with regard to potential alterations in the chemical composition of the fluids resulting from the reinjection of extracted brines. These geochemical processes have a direct impact on the long-term efficiency and sustainability of resource extraction.
By closely integrating scientific expertise with industrial applications, the project aims to develop practical solutions that enable the economic utilization of these raw materials. In addition to technological innovation, economic and environmental aspects are also taken into account. BRIDGE contributes to the implementation of the European Raw Materials Strategy and the Critical Raw Materials Act by promoting the diversification of resource supply and by developing sustainable alternatives to conventional extraction methods. The insights gained are intended not only to optimize resource extraction in Chile but also to demonstrate the potential for domestic lithium production in Germany. Through a targeted transfer strategy, the project's outcomes will be widely disseminated— via scientific publications, conferences, and industrial partnerships.
Partner
- Institut für Angewandte Geowissenschaften (AGW), Lehrstuhl für Geothermie und Reservoir-Technologie (AGW), Karlsruher Instituts für Technologie (KIT)
- Universidad de Chile: Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC); Andean Geothermal Center of Excellence (CEGA)
- Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Funding information
Funding programme: 'Förderung von langfristigen Partnerstrukturen für Forschung und Innovation in Lateinamerika'; Grant number: 01DN25005B (BMFTR)