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Sectors
Published by Will Owen, Editor
Global Mining Review,
The world is making significant strides toward a greener future, from investing in clean energy technologies to revolutionising the transportation sector with electric vehicles (EVs). To the point that, according to a PwC analysis, the number of EVs on the road is expected to soar to 27 million by 2030 and 92 million by 2040. This sudden growth, though, will also mirrored by a surge in demand for lithium, a crucial component in EV batteries and renewable energy storage, which is projected to double within the next five years.
In celebration of World Environment Day and this year’s theme, land restoration, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of adopting a circular approach to lithium mining and the entire lithium supply chain to sustainably meet the growing demand for this critical mineral.
How can this be achieved? By prioritising and investing in direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies that not only have a smaller environmental footprint, but also allow for the re-injection of lithium-depleted brine into the environment.
Traditional lithium extraction methods, although still preferred by most mining companies, can be environmentally taxing, leading, at times, to land disruption. Additionally, these methods have a limited capacity for lithium recovery, ranging from 40 – 70%, and lower selectivity, necessitating extensive energy-intensive post-extraction purification steps.
On the other hand, DLE technologies retain almost the entire volume of treated brine while simultaneously allowing for the preservation of the geological and hydrological integrity of extraction sites. From a hydrogeological perspective, re-injecting the depleted brine helps maintain the dynamics of the ‘lithium brine’ reservoir in terms of pressure and volumes, ensuring sustainable extraction and avoiding depletion.
Financially, the sustainable management of brine can also reduce costs over the long term. Depleting an aquifer could result in the need for alternative mining sites or remediation efforts for the water source. Maintaining a sustainable water cycle avoids these expenses, allowing lithium extraction to continue uninterrupted over the long term. This continuity is crucial for the economic viability of mining operations.
An example of a technology able to create the right conditions to facilitate reinjection is Adionics’ proprietary process and media, FLIONEX®, a tailor-made organic formulation designed to catch selectively lithium and chloride from brine at ambient temperature and release ions to water at a moderate temperature. This liquid-to-liquid salt extraction technology allows for lithium extraction from brine solutions without altering the natural characteristics of the brine itself. By operating at ambient temperatures and requiring no chemical reagents or pre-treatment, the process maintains the brine’s pH balance and natural composition, making it possible to re-inject the lithium-depleted brine back into the environment safely and with minimal impact. This technology has also demonstrated a high lithium recovery rate and selectivity, reducing the need for extensive post-extraction purification steps, and thereby lowering the overall environmental footprint.
Adionics is also an example of a company taking an extra step toward complete circularity in the supply chain, as its process can also be applied to battery recycling. Battery recycling and direct lithium extraction that allow brine re-injections, are technologies that go hand in hand with achieving long-term sustainable lithium resource management.
As we celebrate World Environment Day, it is essential to invest and support technological advancements that prioritise environmental stewardship. By embracing sustainable practices within the mining industry, we can work toward restoring our ecosystems while meeting the growing demand for critical resources like lithium – essential for our transition to a greener future.
Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/05062024/world-environment-day-restoring-our-planet-through-sustainable-lithium-production/
BQE Water has renewed its operating agreement with Glencore for water treatment at Raglan Mine in Nunavik, Canada.
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