“This could change the dynamics of global lithium…”
hit gold
In the race to stockpile lithium, a metal crucial to electric car batteries, the United States has accidentally stumbled upon the world’s largest supply yet.
new research, Published in the newspaper Advances in scienceMcDermitt Caldera, a volcanic crater on the Nevada-Oregon border, is estimated to contain 20 to 40 million tons of lithium.
Based on these latest figures, the amount of lithium in the caldera makes it look very low Salt desert of BoliviaHome to approximately 23 million tons.
“If you believe their rough estimates, this is a very large lithium reserve,” said Anouk Borst, a geologist at KU Leuven who was not involved in the study. tell me The world of chemistry. “This could change the dynamics of lithium globally, in terms of price, security of supply and geopolitics.”
Here is Clay
The world has some of the richest lithium stores Stays in brine. But the lithium in McDermitt Caldera, particularly in the southern part of Nevada, in an area called Thacker Pass, is trapped in mud.
The caldera was formed about 16.4 million years ago after a massive magma eruption that washed away countless lithium and other minerals. Eventually it colonized the caldera lake, where it deposited a layer of lithium-bound sediment that is now more than 600 feet deep. The result: a clay called smectite.
But this was the first lithium injection. When volcanic activity eventually reheats it, a hot brine containing excess lithium is forced into the existing smectite, enriching it with more rare earth minerals. Now the clay was no longer just smectite, but the elite was uniquely rich in lithium.
“It seems like they’ve reached the perfect point where the clay stays close to the surface so they don’t have to mine as much rock, and it’s not removed yet,” Borst said. The world of chemistry.
Split effect
This is good news for miners. This type of lye is not only rich in minerals but is also said to be easy to separate. In addition, most of the sediments are concentrated in one location at the southern end of the pass, limiting the area affected by mining.
At least in theory. Depending on the method used, lithium extraction can release large amounts of carbon dioxide. Groundwater contamination with hazardous heavy metalsTons of fossil fuel consumption. that’s it Environmental toll This should not be overlooked in the rush for eco-friendly transport infrastructure.
Due to these reasons, the project has come under controversy. Conservationists have tried to ban mining in the area, believing it violates environmental laws. They were joined by Native American workers because Thacker Pass is considered sacred to some local tribes.
But a federal court Their appeal was dismissed in JulyAnd the workers now have it There was an earth break at the construction site this week.
More about lithium: Let’s talk about the research linking autism to lithium in water