This underground discovery was considered a myth, but we found it: 150 years of waiting for a treasure more precious than oil
150 years ago, a deposit of dissolved lithium was discovered in a hot spring 450 metres underground in Cornwall, UK. At the time, the mineral had no use, but today it is more valuable than oil, playing a key role in the energy transition.
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150-Year-Old Treasure Resurfaces: Why Is It So Valuable Today?
This geothermal lithium deposit is one of the largest in the world. The underground hot springs contain an impressive concentration of this mineral in liquid form, 8 to 10 times higher than that of other hot springs already exploited. This lithium is now essential for the manufacture of batteries used in electric cars, mobile phones and computers, which explains why interest in this deposit resurfaced in the fall of 2020.
Geothermal Lithium: Why is it superior to conventional lithium?
Geothermal lithium, found in groundwater, reaches a staggering concentration of 260 milligrams per liter. It is found in a hot, salty brine that has passed through very hot rocks, absorbing elements like potassium, boron and, of course, lithium. Mining companies Cornish Lithium and Geothermal Engineering, which are involved in exploring and mining the mineral, plan to use cutting-edge technological advances to extract lithium from this brine using a method called direct lithium extraction, or DLE.
Direct lithium extraction: An innovative and sustainable method
Developed by companies based in Germany, the United States and New Zealand, the LED method is used to extract lithium from mineralized groundwater. It is based on the use of ion exchange resins or nanofiltration techniques that work like a chemical sieve. The lithium is thus selectively extracted in the form of chloride and separated from other salts and minerals contained in the water. The compound is then recovered by washing the resin beads, and the water is reinjected into the ground via wells.
A more environmentally friendly and less expensive method
The lithium chloride is then processed to remove any remaining contaminated salts and concentrated to create lithium hydroxide, the material used to make batteries. This method is not only sustainable and environmentally friendly, but it also has a very low carbon footprint. By comparison, lithium extracted by traditional methods, mainly from underground brine deposits in dry lake beds in Argentina and Chile, and in hard rock mines in Australia, carries high environmental costs.
The environmental costs of traditional lithium extraction methods
Conventional lithium extraction methods are certainly less expensive than the LED method, but they have three major environmental drawbacks:
The Benefits of a Sustainable Method for Geothermal Lithium Extraction
In comparison, geothermal lithium extracted by the LED method has significant advantages. It is possible to recover this mineral without massively disrupting the environment, while maintaining a minimal carbon footprint. This makes geothermal lithium a valuable resource not only for its economic value, but also for its reduced environmental impact, thus meeting the growing needs of the global energy transition.
A myth that turns into a treasure for the energy future
The lithium deposit discovered in Cornwall 150 years ago is now far more valuable than oil, playing a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy. This deposit, once worthless, has become a strategic asset for the energy future, providing a sustainable and accessible source of lithium. This discovery shows how resources that were once considered worthless can now prove crucial to our energy future.
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This article explores how a lithium deposit discovered 150 years ago in Cornwall, UK, has become a key resource for todayโs energy transition. Using sustainable and environmentally friendly extraction methods, this geothermal lithium is proving to be a treasure more valuable than oil, meeting the growing need for batteries for modern technologies.
Source: Econews