A potential more eco-friendly method for mining lithium in Western Canada has emerged, offering a way to access lithium brines found in subterranean saline water. Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology is being explored by companies as a means to extract lithium resources in Western Canada, potentially with lower environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
One company, LithiumBank, is eyeing Alberta for its lithium projects due to the existing infrastructure from past oil and gas operations. By repurposing old wells in Alberta, companies can tap into underground brines rich in lithium, a crucial component for clean energy batteries.
Unlike conventional methods that struggle to access lithium in brines, DLE technology sidesteps the need for solar evaporation by directly extracting lithium using chemicals. This innovation opens up access to lithium resources in regions where traditional methods are impractical.
Canada currently operates only two lithium mines, both extracting lithium from hard rock. However, with the global demand for lithium projected to surge significantly by 2040, alternative methods like DLE could play a crucial role in meeting this demand driven by electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
While DLE shows promise as a more environmentally friendly extraction method, its energy consumption remains a concern. Researchers emphasize the importance of using clean energy sources, such as solar power, to minimize the environmental impact of lithium extraction. Additionally, DLE significantly reduces water consumption by allowing most of the extracted water to be returned to the ground post-extraction.