Lithium Mining

Lithium mining involves extracting lithium from the earth, primarily from underground mineral deposits (brine pools or hard-rock minerals like spodumene). In brine extraction, salty water containing lithium is pumped from underground reservoirs, then evaporated in large ponds to isolate the lithium salts. Hard-rock mining involves crushing lithium-rich rocks and processing them to extract the lithium. Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries for electronics and electric vehicles. The process can impact the environment through water use, habitat disturbance, and energy consumption, making sustainable practices increasingly important for minimizing ecological effects.