Solving the lithium question will facilitate sustainable electrification
Among the steps being taken toward creating a more sustainable future is the transition away from the internal combustion engine to electric vehicles, which for the moment is critically dependent on lithium. As a mainstay of modern batteries, though not necessarily those of the future, the role of lithium and its procurement has become a subject of intense innovation, discussion and controversy, ranging from those who argue it is toxic — mistakenly — and mined under highly exploitative conditions, to those who, better informed, understand that by its very nature, it provides a better working base than fossil fuels.
An analysis of this complex narrative should begin by pointing out that whatever the doomsayers claim, the planet has far more lithium than we need and can be extracted reasonably cheaply, using techniques that range from mining — an activity we have carried out since the dawn of time, the electrification of which aims to make it increasingly sustainable — to cheaper methods with less environmental impact such as direct extraction from salt mines, brine and groundwater. This innovative method could revolutionize the industry and align mining practices with environmental values, combining the need for resources with a commitment to sustainability.
