Egypt: SLB turns to lithium following strategic meeting

On the sidelines of the EGYPES 2025 conference held in Cairo, a strategic meeting took place on Saturday between Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA), and representatives of SLB (formerly Schlumberger). The aim: to examine opportunities for collaboration in the extraction of lithium and critical minerals, a key sector for strengthening the Egyptian mining industry and supporting the global transition to clean energy.

The SLB delegation, comprising Kamel El-Khouly, head of the strategic programme, and Nicolas Louganskii, highlighted the company's expertise in this fast-growing field. Discussions focused on the strategic importance of lithium, a metal essential to the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and green technologies. El-Khouly expressed SLB's enthusiasm for partnering with EMRA, while Louganskii detailed a major innovation: an integrated direct lithium extraction (DLE) solution. According to him, this technology enables faster production than conventional methods, with operational results demonstrating a high recovery rate from brines.

Yasser Ramadan welcomed the prospect of a partnership, highlighting SLB's expertise and innovative solutions as an asset for exploiting critical minerals. "EMRA is particularly attentive to the study of potential lithium deposits in Egypt," he said, signalling a clear desire to position the country as a player in this growing market. Egypt, rich in mineral resources, is seeking to diversify its economy and take advantage of growing global demand for raw materials linked to the energy transition.

The meeting ended on a promising note with an agreement in principle to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EMRA and SLB. The envisaged partnership will also include the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and the South Valley Egyptian Petroleum Holding Company (Ganope). The joint objective is to explore and evaluate lithium deposits in Egypt, a project that could mark a significant step in the development of the local mining sector.

This initiative is part of a global movement in which lithium has become a strategic resource, driven by the rise of renewable energies and clean technologies. The DLE technology presented by SLB, by reducing lead times and optimising recovery, could offer Egypt a competitive advantage in this field. For SLB, this collaboration also represents an opportunity to expand its footprint in North Africa, a promising market for critical minerals.

While the details of the MoU have yet to be finalised, this meeting testifies to Egypt's ambition to position itself as a key player in the green economy, with the support of a technology leader like SLB. The next steps should clarify the potential of the country's lithium resources and lay the foundations for a partnership that could transform the regional mining landscape.