Fuelling The Future: Energy Giants Enter The Mining Sector

Introduction

The global energy transition is not just altering how we produce and consume energy – it is also redrawing the boundaries between industries. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the increasing interest of oil and gas companies in the critical minerals sector, particularly in lithium extraction. As the demand for critical minerals grows, energy majors are exploring how their existing skills and resources can be leveraged in this area. This chapter explores this evolving trend, its drivers, and its implications for both sectors.

What Are Oil and Gas Companies Saying and Doing?

A number of major oil and gas companies have already taken steps into the critical minerals sector. At this stage, their interest appears primarily focused on lithium and Direct Lithium Extraction (or "DLE") technologies. DLE is designed to extract lithium from brine sources faster, more efficiently, and with less environmental impact than the traditional evaporation