All articles tagged with #lithium mining
The surge in global lithium demand for renewable energy technologies is causing significant environmental damage in Chile's Atacama Desert, including water shortages and harm to local ecosystems and communities, raising concerns about the environmental costs of green tech.
A study on a historic lithium mine in North Carolina reveals low levels of common contaminants like arsenic and lead in surrounding waters, but high levels of lithium, rubidium, and cesium, which are not federally regulated. The research, published in Science of The Total Environment, highlights potential water quality impacts of legacy lithium mining and provides baseline data for future studies on the effects of reopening lithium mines in the region. The study also notes that the mine does not contribute to acidic runoff, unlike other mining operations.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to meet Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to finalize a lithium mining deal for the Jadar mine, which is expected to significantly boost Europe's electric vehicle production. However, environmental NGOs and local residents are concerned about potential habitat destruction, water pollution, and displacement. Opposition leaders criticize the political influence on the mine's approval, questioning the protection of citizens' environmental interests.
The US Department of Energy has approved a $2.26 billion loan for Lithium Nevada to finance a lithium carbonate processing plant at the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, which will become North America's largest source of lithium for EV batteries. The plant aims to produce 40,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate annually, with construction expected to start in 2023 and completion slated for 2028. The project is anticipated to create jobs and reduce reliance on foreign sources for battery supply chains. General Motors is set to be a primary buyer, and the loan will be offered through the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.
Scientists have estimated that there could be a staggering 18 million tons of lithium, worth $540 billion, beneath California's Salton Sea. While hailed as a significant discovery for the electric vehicle industry, concerns arise regarding the mining process's impact on the environment and local communities. The mining could further strain the already dwindling water supply from the Colorado River, which is crucial for agriculture and thousands of residents. Additionally, the mining may negatively affect air quality and Indigenous cultural sites in the region.
Albemarle Corporation, the world's largest lithium producer, is attempting to revive a dormant mine in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, which is believed to hold one of the largest lithium deposits in the United States. This move is in response to the growing demand for lithium batteries used in electric vehicles. Other companies in North Carolina are also seeking permits for multibillion-dollar lithium investments to take advantage of incentives provided by President Biden's new climate law. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen recently visited a lithium hydroxide processing company in North Carolina, highlighting the country's efforts to reduce dependence on China for clean energy supply chains.
Portugal's Prime Minister Antonio Costa has resigned amid an investigation into alleged irregularities involving lithium mining and hydrogen projects. Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba has been named as a formal suspect, and Costa's chief of staff has been detained. The opposition has called for the government to step down immediately. Costa stated that he is willing to cooperate with the justice system, but believes that the dignity of the prime minister's role is incompatible with any suspicion of criminal activity.
The shrinking Salton Sea in Southern California is causing health concerns for the surrounding community, with high rates of asthma-like symptoms among children. Studies have linked the contaminants in the sea, such as arsenic and selenium, to lung inflammation in residents. The receding shoreline is exposing a dry and toxic lakebed, which is attracting the lithium mining industry. While lithium mining could bring economic benefits to the region, there are concerns about the potential environmental impacts and the health consequences for the community.
The shrinking Salton Sea in Southern California is raising health alarms for the surrounding community, with a high incidence of asthma-like symptoms among children living in the region. The sea, which is contaminated with fertilizers, heavy metals, and toxins like arsenic and selenium, is responsible for causing lung inflammation in residents. As the sea recedes, exposing a dry and toxic lakebed, it is also attracting the lithium mining industry, which could bring economic benefits but also potential environmental impacts. The community hopes that the lithium industry does not come at the cost of their health.