Summary
- US policymakers are looking to restart the nation’s lithium mining industry due to high demand
- The US has always had a plentiful supply of lithium, but mining dwindled down by the early 2000s
- Alternative methods like geothermal brine and waste brine from oil and gas drilling are being explored for lithium extraction
- Studies show that there is a significant amount of lithium in the Smackover Formation, catching the eye of companies like ExxonMobil
- Solutions to the lithium supply problem include reducing the need for lithium, recycling, and extracting lithium from saltwater
Article
The growing demand for lithium has prompted US policymakers to consider restarting the nation’s lithium mining industry. However, concerns over environmental and cultural impacts have sparked protests against new mining proposals. Despite this, the US Geological Survey suggests that there may be an alternative source of lithium right under the nation’s feet.
Although the US has always had a plentiful supply of lithium, the decline of lithium mining in the early 2000s created a supply problem just as the demand for lithium began to rise with the growth of the electric vehicle industry. Efforts to restart the US lithium mining industry have been met with challenges related to environmental and socio-cultural impacts.
The US Department of Energy has been promoting geothermal brine as an alternative to traditional mining for lithium through a process called DLE (direct lithium extraction). This process leverages geothermal energy to extract lithium without the extensive impacts associated with conventional mining operations. One example of this is the Hell’s Kitchen geothermal brine project in California.
Oil and gas drilling waste brine is another potential pathway for lithium supply that can help avoid the full impacts of traditional mining. Leading oil company ExxonMobil has taken notice of this potential and aims to become a top lithium producer and supplier for the EV battery industry by 2030. ExxonMobil’s acquisition of the Smackover Formation in Arkansas highlights its interest in this emerging lithium supply pathway.
A study conducted by the US Geological Survey on a small portion of the Smackover Formation in Arkansas using machine learning techniques has revealed a significant lithium supply potential. The study estimates that the brine from this area could contain up to 19 million tons of lithium, which is a substantial amount compared to global lithium demand projections for electric vehicles.
In addition to traditional mining and drilling waste brine, there are other innovative approaches to solving the lithium supply problem. These include lithium-free EV battery formulas, hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, long duration energy storage technologies, and recovering lithium from saltwater. As the demand for lithium continues to grow, exploring these alternative pathways will be crucial in ensuring a sustainable and reliable supply chain for EV batteries.
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