Dear EarthTalk – Why is lithium mining so detrimental to the environment
Jane B., Atlanta, GA
White gold is the name given to lithium. It is essential for lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are crucial in many key sustainable technologies that require energy storage. As electric cars, solar power, and wind power become major players in energy industry, lithium is key to engineering a future that is free from fossil fuels.
However, lithium mining can be very costly. It works in this way: Liquid water, which contains lithium and other metals, is pumped from underground aquifers to the surface and mixed with freshwater. The mixture is then placed in pools to evaporate the water, leaving behind brightly colored toxic sludge. Refineries use heat and chemical reaction to extract the lithium from it, and then refine it into powder that is packaged and shipped around the globe. The rest of the wastewater is pumped into pools where it can stay indefinitely. Any accident that releases mine contents into the groundwater supply can have long-term, devastating consequences.
There have been debates about how much environmental degradation can be tolerated locally while advocating conservation worldwide. The majority of environmental destruction is caused by Indigenous communities. Unfortunately, political leaders often don’t give enough weight to their concerns. For example, a growing lithium mine threatens the cultural and historic sites of the Hualapai tribes in Arizona. Despite Hualapai leaders fighting to protect their land from the federal government and the mining industry, Supreme Court precedents dating back to 1820s have left them with very little legal leverage. For politicians who have pledged their support to native peoples in the fight against climate change, mining lithium or other precious metals is bringing conflicts of priorities: How do you ensure the availability and protection of tribal rights while also protecting the rights of tribal members?
According to the International Lithium Supply and Demand Survey, the U.S. produces only 1% of the global supply. The Wall Street Journal. As the Biden administration works to boost electric vehicle production and challenge Chinas market dominance, the mining of the metal is likely to rise dramatically over the next few years. Experts predict that electric cars will become more affordable and thus more popular over time, which will reduce fossil fuel emission. Environmental leaders disagree about whether the benefits from these cuts will outweigh the harm to the people who depend on the mined land.
New research suggests a more optimistic future. A 2020 University of Crdoba Spain study found that the batteries can be reused and recycled. They also work without cobalt, which is a destructive metal that requires dangerous mining practices. However, lithium mining is expected to expand rapidly to meet the soaring demand. It is important to be aware that clean air vehicles are being purchased in greater numbers by environmentally conscious consumers.
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