The amount of water used in lithium extraction varies significantly depending on the method. For traditional methods, it is estimated that:
- 1 metric ton of lithium requires approximately 1.9 million liters (500,000 gallons) of water for extraction.
- Another source mentions that each tonne of lithium requires around 2 million liters of water to be evaporated.
However, new technologies are being developed to reduce this water usage. For example, Lithium Harvest offers an approach that can reduce water consumption by up to 96% compared to conventional mining methods by reusing produced water. Additionally, advanced methods for extracting lithium from briny water are emerging, potentially offering more sustainable solutions.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-much-water-is-typically-used-in-the-lithium-extraction-process/
