Lithium has become indispensable in the burgeoning clean energy sector, powering everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to large-scale energy storage solutions for power grids. While lithium is naturally abundant, accessing it for these crucial technologies necessitates extraction and processing from the earth. So, where exactly does this vital element come from? This article delves into the primary locations and methods of lithium mining around the world.
Currently, there are two dominant methods employed to extract lithium from the earth. Historically, Chile led the charge in lithium production, focusing on extracting lithium from brines – highly concentrated salt water found both on the surface and beneath the ground. This brine extraction method involves pumping the brine to the surface and channeling it into large evaporation ponds. Here, the sun’s energy naturally evaporates the water, concentrating the lithium and other minerals. Over time, lithium salts precipitate out and are then further processed.
However, lithium mining also takes a more conventional form. Australia surpassed Chile as the leading lithium producer in 2017, primarily through hard rock mining. In Australia, companies extract lithium from spodumene, a lithium-rich mineral, through open-pit mining. This process involves blasting and excavating the ore from the earth. Currently, Australia accounts for approximately half of the world’s lithium supply. A significant portion, exceeding 80%, of this mined spodumene is then shipped to China for further refinement into usable lithium compounds.
The clean energy transition has dramatically increased global lithium demand, prompting the expansion of lithium mining operations beyond Chile and Australia. Global lithium production has witnessed a remarkable surge, escalating from around 37,000 tonnes per year a decade ago to approximately 130,000 tonnes in 2022. This growing demand has spurred numerous lithium projects in various stages of development worldwide.
Caroline White-Nockleby, a PhD candidate at MIT specializing in renewable energy transitions, notes, “We’ve observed an explosion of proposed lithium projects in planning, pilot, and demonstration phases across a much broader range of countries.” This diversification of lithium sources is crucial to meet the escalating needs of the clean energy economy.
Both brine and hard rock lithium mining methods carry environmental and social implications. A significant 60% of global lithium reserves are concentrated in brine deposits within South America’s “lithium triangle,” often overlapping with sensitive ecological zones. Mining activities in general can lead to landscape disruption. While hard rock mining typically consumes more freshwater, both methods are water-intensive, posing challenges in water-scarce regions. Furthermore, brine extraction leads to brine loss, which can impact local ecosystems and communities, despite brine often lacking the regulatory protection afforded to freshwater sources.
In terms of energy consumption, brine mining, which largely relies on solar evaporation, is considerably less energy-intensive compared to hard rock mining. Hard rock mining necessitates energy-intensive processes like excavation and crushing, contributing to carbon emissions from the machinery involved. A 2021 study highlighted this disparity, revealing that brine-based lithium production can generate approximately 11 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of lithium, whereas spodumene ore-based lithium production releases around 37 tons of CO2 per ton of lithium.
The social impacts of lithium mining are heavily influenced by the conduct of mining companies and the effectiveness of government regulations. Ideally, communities in lithium mining regions should share in the economic benefits and receive support for environmental remediation and resource preservation. California’s recent legislation, aiming to tax lithium extraction profits to benefit local communities and environmental restoration, represents an attempt to address these social considerations.
However, White-Nockleby emphasizes caution as lithium extraction projects proliferate globally. “Historically and presently, lithium mining has disproportionately affected marginalized and low-income communities, often impacting lands of cultural significance to Indigenous communities,” she states. “It is crucial for communities to be involved in lithium mining planning from the outset. Communities possess the right to reject extraction projects.”
Innovations in lithium extraction methods are emerging, focusing on reducing energy and resource consumption. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies utilize specialized filters to selectively separate lithium from brine, potentially minimizing environmental footprint and enabling water recycling. Researchers and companies are also exploring lithium recovery from mine waste.
Furthermore, reducing overall lithium demand can contribute to more responsible mining practices. Promoting public transportation, optimizing EV battery sizes, and implementing robust lithium battery recycling programs are crucial steps. A 2023 study suggests that such demand-reduction strategies could decrease U.S. lithium needs by 18 to 92%, while still facilitating the pursuit of climate goals.
In conclusion, lithium mining currently occurs primarily in Chile and Australia, utilizing brine and hard rock extraction methods respectively. However, driven by surging demand, lithium sourcing is diversifying globally. Addressing the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining, alongside exploring innovative extraction techniques and demand reduction strategies, is paramount for a sustainable clean energy future.
