Green Lithium Extraction Under Scrutiny
Direct lithium extraction is being promoted as a way to reduce mining impacts in South America, but its large-scale deployment is facing scrutiny.
Mining companies are developing new technologies to extract lithium from the region's salt flats with lower environmental impacts. However, environmentalists and scientists are raising concerns about the technology's readiness and potential effects on freshwater resources.
The Lithium Triangle
The "lithium triangle" in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile holds over half of the world's known lithium reserves, found in salty brine beneath the region's dry salt flats.
- Lithium mining in the region has increased due to high demand for EV batteries and energy storage.
- Scientists warn that the new extraction technology may worsen freshwater depletion in the region.
- More research is needed to assess the technology's environmental impacts and readiness for large-scale deployment.
Experts question whether the expensive technology is ready to be rolled out at scale.
Author's summary: Scrutiny over water use affects green lithium extraction efforts.