A startup is using AI to find lithium deposits directly beneath Europe's battery factories

Atana Elements is using AI to reanalyze legacy geological, oil and gas, geothermal, and mining data to spot lithium-bearing areas near Salzgitter and Wroclaw.

The startup, spun out of Lilac Solutions, is targeting brine-based extraction close to major battery plants linked to Volkswagen and LG Energy Solution.

Atana has raised funding, including a recent round led by Lowercarbon Capital, but drilling, permitting, and project economics are still unresolved.

The effort highlights Europe’s push to localize critical-minerals supply chains and cut battery-material risk, even as the projects remain early and uncertain.