lithium
Newsletter
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The US funds lithium mining, risking water supplies
Federal funding for lithium mining under the Inflation Reduction Act is raising concerns about environmental impacts on water supplies.
In short:
- The Inflation Reduction Act and other federal programs provide significant funding for lithium mining to meet the demand for electric vehicle batteries.
- Lithium mining methods, such as brine evaporation and hard rock mining, pose substantial risks to groundwater supplies and biodiversity.
- Local communities and environmentalists are opposing new mining projects, fearing long-term ecological damage and threats to sacred Indigenous sites.
Key quote:
"We need lithium as a part of our transition off of fossil fuels, but it can’t come at the expense of biodiversity or our most precious protected areas."
— Patrick Donnelly, Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
Increased lithium mining is critical for the energy transition, but it threatens water resources and ecosystems, especially in arid regions. Effective regulations and alternative battery technologies are needed to balance environmental concerns with energy needs.
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A Nevada community fights lithium mine to protect rare fish and water resources
A Nevada community is uniting to fight a proposed lithium mine that threatens the scarce water resources vital to the rare Devil’s Hole pupfish and other local species.
In short:
- The Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, known as the "Galapagos of the Mojave Desert," is home to 26 endemic species, including the endangered Devil’s Hole pupfish.
- A proposed lithium mine near the refuge could significantly deplete water resources, endangering the wildlife and local community wells already running dry.
- Local residents, environmentalists, and tribal leaders are leveraging the Endangered Species Act to oppose the mine, seeking federal intervention to protect the area.
Key quote:
“We want to save Ash Meadows, but Ash Meadows is going to save us.”
— Carolyn Allen, chair of the Amargosa Valley Town Board
Why this matters:
The proposed lithium mine could devastate the fragile ecosystem and water supply in one of the hottest and driest regions of the U.S., highlighting the ongoing conflict between renewable energy development and environmental conservation.
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Plans for lithium project raise environmental concerns in Utah
An Australian company’s plan to extract lithium in Utah faces criticism over water usage and potential radioactive contamination.
In short:
- The Utah Division of Water Resources approved A1 Lithium’s application to drill wells near Green River.
- Environmental groups argue the project’s high water usage and proximity to a radioactive aquifer pose risks.
- A1 Lithium asserts the project will be environmentally sustainable and provide local jobs.
Key quote:
“There’s a lot of uncertainty. I’m not anti-lithium. I’m pro public welfare.”
— Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network
Why this matters:
Lithium extraction is vital for electric vehicle production, but it raises environmental and public health concerns, particularly regarding water usage and contamination risks. Lithium extraction is notoriously water-intensive, raising alarms in an already arid state where water scarcity is a pressing issue. Local communities and environmental advocates argue that diverting water for mining operations could exacerbate the drought conditions affecting Utah.
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Extractive industries struggle with sustainability paradox
Despite efforts to integrate environmental management, the extractive industries face inherent challenges in achieving true sustainability.
In short:
- Environmental impact assessments (EIA) are vital for identifying and mitigating environmental damage from extractive operations.
- Properly executed EIAs and consultation processes can improve profitability and reduce conflicts with local communities.
- Some companies adopt best practices for environmental management, but others view EIAs as mere formalities.
Why this matters:
As society shifts towards solar, wind, and other renewable sources, the demand for certain minerals—like lithium and cobalt, crucial for batteries—has surged. This shift paradoxically increases mining activities, raising new environmental and ethical concerns, such as the exploitation of resources in developing countries and the environmental degradation of pristine areas.
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Lithium found in Pennsylvania fracking wastewater sparks debate
A recent study reveals that wastewater from Pennsylvania's fracking industry contains enough lithium to meet up to 40% of the United States' domestic needs, raising concerns about potential increased fracking.
In short:
- Pennsylvania's fracking wastewater could yield about 1,160 metric tons of lithium annually, potentially covering 38-40% of U.S. demand.
- Experts express concerns over the environmental and health impacts of extracting lithium from fracking wastewater.
- Skeptics warn that this finding might be used to justify more fracking, potentially exacerbating environmental damage.
Key quote:
“I think having more domestic sources of lithium is definitely a positive thing, especially if you don’t have to create a mine to exploit the resource.”
— Justin Mackey, research geochemist at the National Energy Technology Laboratory
Why this matters:
Lithium is crucial for clean energy technologies, but extracting it from fracking wastewater poses significant environmental and health risks. This finding may lead to increased fracking, counteracting efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
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Credit: Davie Bicker/Pixabay
Seaweed explored as a potential source for green-energy minerals
Exploring the seas for sustainability, U.S. scientists are testing seaweed as a possible miner of key minerals needed for green energy.
In short:
- U.S. researchers, backed by ARPA-E, are investing in projects to determine if seaweeds can efficiently extract and concentrate valuable minerals like platinum and rhodium.
- Experiments have indicated that seaweeds might also be processed into biofuel components and phosphorus-rich mineral extracts.
- Marine biologist Susete Pintéus highlights that while seaweed mining won't replace traditional methods, it can augment the supply of essential minerals.
Key quote:
"It’s worth exploring other possibilities that align more with our ideas of a greener world—or a bluer world."
— Schery Umanzor, lead researcher, University of Alaska at Fairbanks
Why this matters:
Harnessing seaweed for mineral extraction could lead to less environmentally invasive mining methods, offering a dual benefit of protecting marine ecosystems while sourcing critical materials for technology and energy solutions.
In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means.
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Opinion: Reevaluating our methods in pursuit of environmental sustainability
We need to rethink the effectiveness of focusing solely on decarbonization to achieve true sustainability.
In short:
- Technological solutions like decarbonization might not address the deeper social and political issues affecting environmental sustainability.
- Emphasis on reducing carbon emissions often overshadows other environmental concerns such as biodiversity loss and pollution.
- The current strategy of reducing emissions through technological means may neglect the underlying economic and political factors contributing to environmental degradation.
Key quote:
"Technology can, at best, kick conflicts down the road. Peace cannot be engineered."
— Peter Sutoris, environmental anthropologist
Why this matters:
Relying solely on decarbonization to achieve sustainability overlooks several critical aspects of environmental and societal health. Decarbonization primarily focuses on reducing carbon emissions, particularly from energy production and industrial processes, which is undoubtedly essential. However, sustainability is a broader concept that includes economic, social, and environmental balance.
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