US start‑up Atana Elements, backed by Chile’s Antofagasta, has secured 1.5 mn acres of licences in Salzgitter, Germany and Wroclaw, Poland, directly beneath battery plants owned by Volkswagen’s battery unit and LG Energy. The company aims to drill lithium deposits on‑site, a move designed to cut Europe’s dependence on Chinese‑processed lithium.

Europe and the US are racing to localise critical‑mineral supply chains after the Ukraine war and Sino‑US trade tensions strained imports. The EU has poured billions into projects like Vulcan Energy’s $2.6 bn lithium scheme. Using AI‑driven geology, Atana projects $27.5 mn seed funding and estimates 26 mn tonnes of lithium could be extracted over two decades.

Lithium demand has risen roughly 30 % annually this decade, with forecasts targeting 3.6‑6.3 mn tonnes by 2034, far outpacing existing projects. Carmakers such as VW and BMW are watching Atana’s proposal, though neither confirmed investment. If permits are granted, the venture could reshape European battery supply chains and reduce reliance on distant processing hubs.

Atana counts former Shell executive Brent Cheshire among its advisers and plans to meet strict EU environmental standards before drilling begins. The project’s success hinges on securing local permits and proving economic viability against deeper, costlier deposits. Its ultimate output will determine whether Europe can achieve a home‑grown lithium base for next‑generation EV batteries.