Lithium Mining

Lithium Mining and Environmental Impacts

Lithium mining is a process of extracting lithium, a metal that is used for making batteries, especially for electric vehicles. Lithium mining has some environmental impacts, such as soil degradation, water shortages, biodiversity loss, air contamination, and increased carbon emissions. However, there are also some solutions that can reduce these impacts, such as:

• Using geothermal lithium, which is lithium found in hot springs deep underground. This method does not require large amounts of water or land, and it can produce renewable energy as well as lithium. For example, in Cornwall, UK, a site has been confirmed as having some of the world’s highest grades of lithium in geothermal waters.
• Using solvent extraction, which is a chemical process that separates lithium from brine. This method is more efficient and flexible than evaporation and precipitation processes, and it can produce any lithium salt directly. It also allows the saltwater to be reinjected into the ground, which reduces freshwater consumption and improves efficiency. For example, Solvay is a company that provides solvent extraction reagents for lithium recovery from brines and recycled electric vehicle batteries.
• Using recycling and urban mining, which is the process of recovering lithium and other critical metals from spent electric vehicle batteries. This method can create positive economic value and address regulatory and supply concerns over raw materials. It can also reduce the need for new mining and lower the environmental footprint of battery production. For example, Solvay also offers hydrometallurgical expertise and technology for lithium extraction from recycled EV batteries.

 If you want to learn more, you can check out these websites: The Environmental Impact of Lithium Batteries - IER, The new ‘gold rush’ for green lithium - BBC Future, Lithium Mining in the U.S.: Why is it Controversial? | EnergySage.