A novel eco-friendly method for mining lithium could revolutionize the extraction of this crucial mineral from deposits in Western Canada. Companies are progressing towards demonstrating the scalability of the technology, known as direct lithium extraction (DLE), which offers a potentially more sustainable approach to accessing lithium brines found in subterranean saline waters.
One company, LithiumBank, is drawn to Alberta due to its existing infrastructure from the oil and gas industry, which can be repurposed for lithium mining. By utilizing wells constructed decades ago, the company aims to tap into underground brines rich in lithium, a vital component in clean energy batteries driving the transition to renewable power sources.
Traditionally, lithium is sourced from rocks in Australia and brines in places like Chile. However, the conventional method of evaporating lithium brines may not be viable in all regions. In contrast, DLE techniques, such as those being researched by Ngai Yin Yip at Columbia University, involve chemical processes to directly extract lithium without relying on solar evaporation.
While DLE shows promise in lab settings, challenges remain in implementing the technology on a larger scale. LithiumBank has conducted successful pilot tests of their DLE process, producing battery-grade lithium and is now advancing feasibility studies to further validate the quality of their extracted lithium.
With global demand for lithium projected to surge significantly in the coming years for applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, the environmentally conscious approach of DLE presents a more sustainable alternative to traditional extraction methods. Despite energy emissions being a concern, the potential for using renewable energy sources like solar power in lithium extraction processes could further enhance the environmental benefits of DLE.