Efforts to Green Lithium Extraction Face Scrutiny
Direct lithium extraction has been touted as a way to reduce mining impacts in South America, but experts warn it may not be ready for large-scale deployment.
Mining companies are promoting new technologies that they claim can extract more lithium from the region's vast salt flats with lower environmental impacts.
- Lithium is a key ingredient for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
- The "lithium triangle" spans Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, holding over half of the world's known lithium reserves.
More research is needed to determine the feasibility of large-scale deployment.
Environmentalists and scientists are concerned that the technology could worsen freshwater depletion in the region, which is already scarce.
Author's summary: Lithium extraction faces scrutiny over water use and environmental impacts.