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Manitoba Invests $4 Million in Geothermal Neighbourhood Development

By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Manitoba Invests $4 Million in First Large-Scale Geothermal District Manitoba is moving geothermal energy from individual buildings toward large-scale community heating and cooling, with the provincial government committing up to $4 million to a planned geothermal district at the University of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus in Winnipeg. The project, known as Southwood Circle , is planned as an approximately 80-acre mixed-use development that could eventually include more than 1,000 homes alongside office, commercial, retail and hospitality space. According to the Manitoba government, the geothermal system is expected to provide heating and cooling for at least 1,000 new homes by 2028 , making it the province's first large-scale geothermal district energy system. The announcement forms part of Manitoba's new Net Zero Action Plan , released on September 9, 2026. The plan sets out 90 actions intended to guide the province toward its stated net-zero emissions objective by 20...
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Arverne’s New Geothermal Drill Could Unlock a Billion-Dollar Lithium Treasure

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By Robert Buluma Alphaxioms
Arverne Launches First Geothermal Drilling for the Lithium de France Project in Alsace


By: Robert Buluma
Published: November 24, 2025
Location: Pau, France

In a milestone moment for Europe’s geothermal and critical-minerals sectors, Arverne (ARVEN) — France’s leading geothermal solutions provider — has officially begun drilling the first geothermal doublet for the groundbreaking Lithium de France project in Schwabwiller, Alsace. This launch marks a major step toward establishing Europe’s first integrated geothermal-lithium production ecosystem.

A New Chapter for European Geothermal Innovation

According to the company, drilling operations have begun precisely on schedule following extensive site preparation. The geothermal doublet, which includes a production well and a reinjection well, will start at 10 meters apart on the surface and expand to nearly 1 kilometer of horizontal separation at a depth of 2,400 meters.

This phase is crucial. The initial drilling campaign will verify three essential parameters of the geothermal reservoir:

Flow rate

Temperature

Lithium content


These measurements will feed into advanced geological models and help optimize the project’s technical design ahead of full-scale development.

Geothermal Heat + Sustainable Lithium: A First for France

The Lithium de France project is more than a geothermal installation — it is a flagship initiative combining carbon-free geothermal heating with low-carbon lithium extraction.

Key benefits for the region include:

✔ Carbon-free heat for northern Alsace, delivered through short, local energy circuits
✔ Production of low-carbon lithium for Europe’s growing electric-mobility market
✔ Up to 200 new direct jobs generated locally
✔ Up to 90% lower CO₂ emissions compared to natural-gas heating
✔ About 70% less CO₂ emissions than conventional lithium sources, according to the company’s PFS and EcoInvent data

This dual-production model positions France as a leader in sustainable mineral extraction and strengthens Europe’s push for energy sovereignty.

A Seven-Month Drilling Campaign with Major Economic Impact

Drilling of the first doublet will continue for approximately seven months, contributing to Arverne’s projected business growth in 2025–2026. The company reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, expecting a gross activity volume between €25 million and €27 million, representing a significant +45% to +55% increase over 2024.

A Vision of European Energy Sovereignty

Arverne CEO and founder Pierre Brossollet celebrated the achievement, calling it the result of five years of intense effort:

“By combining geothermal heat and sustainable lithium extraction in Europe, this project embodies a new era of energy sovereignty and reindustrialization for our country. This milestone brings us closer to the final investment decision — a key step toward realizing our ambitions.”

About Arverne

Arverne is France’s leading supplier of geothermal solutions, specializing in:

Geothermal heating and cooling systems

Subsurface resource management

Sustainable lithium extraction from geothermal brines


The mission-driven company, listed on Euronext Paris, works with municipalities, industries, and energy users committed to short supply chains and energy independence.

Learn more at arverne.earth

Why This Project Matters for the Geothermal Industry

The launch of this geothermal doublet reinforces a growing trend across Europe: advanced geothermal systems are becoming strategic assets, not just for heat, but also for critical mineral production, including lithium, metals, and hydrogen.


Projects like Lithium de France demonstrate how geothermal brines can unlock new revenue streams for developers — a model that companies around the world, including those in Kenya, Indonesia, Germany, and the U.S., are increasingly exploring.



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