Lithium extraction

Lithium extraction involves retrieving lithium from natural sources like mineral deposits and brine pools. For mineral deposits, workers mine lithium-containing rocks, then crush and process them to isolate lithium compounds. In brine extraction, salty water from underground reservoirs is pumped to the surface into large evaporation ponds; as the water evaporates, lithium concentrates and can be collected. Both methods require careful processing to produce pure lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, essential for batteries and other technologies. The process balances technical steps with environmental considerations, aiming to efficiently supply lithium while minimizing ecological impact.