Articles tagged with "lithium"
One of world's largest lithium deposits found in Germany's Altmark
Neptune Energy has confirmed the discovery of one of the world’s largest lithium deposits in Germany’s Altmark region, with an estimated 43 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). Located in Northern Saxony-Anhalt, an area historically known for natural gas production, this lithium resource was validated by the independent agency Sproule ERCE under international standards. The Altmark basin’s Rotliegend brines are highly mineralized and lithium-rich, positioning the region as a significant future supplier of this critical raw material for batteries and electric vehicles (EVs). This discovery could notably enhance Europe’s role in the global EV and battery supply chain. In response to the growing demand for sustainable battery materials, Neptune Energy is shifting from fossil fuels to clean lithium extraction using direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. This environmentally friendly method isolates lithium from underground brine with minimal land use and impact, avoiding traditional open-pit mining or evaporation ponds. Neptune has already completed two successful pilot projects and is conducting a
energylithiumbattery-materialsclean-energydirect-lithium-extractionEV-supply-chainrenewable-resourcesHow China turned submarine whisperer into deep gold-mining antenna
China has repurposed a massive submarine communication antenna system into the world’s most powerful electromagnetic exploration tool for deep mineral detection. Located in central China, this 500-kilowatt transmitter stretches over distances exceeding five times the length of New York City and broadcasts signals deep underground to locate critical resources like lithium, cobalt, rare earths, gold, and uranium. According to a recent China Geological Survey (CGS) study, China exclusively operates all ultra-high-power electromagnetic exploration systems above 100 kW, far surpassing the U.S. maximum of 30 kW. This technological edge enables China to explore the “second mineral space” — depths between 500 and 2,000 meters where traditional methods struggle due to weak ore signals and interference. China’s advanced electromagnetic methods include distributed sensor arrays and multidirectional field sources, allowing three-dimensional imaging of underground structures with greater accuracy than conventional two-dimensional models. A notable example is the Wireless Electromagnetic Method (WEM), which uses two perpendicular
energyelectromagnetic-explorationmineral-mininglithiumrare-earth-elementsChina-technologydeep-earth-imaging10 million EVs could be powered by lithium hidden in US mine waste
A recent study led by Elizabeth Holley of the Colorado School of Mines reveals that the United States could significantly boost its supply of critical minerals by recovering valuable elements from existing mine waste, currently treated as byproducts. Analyzing 54 active mines across 70 elements, the research estimates that just one year’s worth of U.S. mine waste contains enough lithium to power 10 million electric vehicles and enough manganese for 99 million, far exceeding current domestic demand and imports. Recovering even 1 percent of these byproducts could substantially reduce U.S. reliance on imports, while a 4 percent recovery of lithium alone could eliminate the need for lithium imports entirely. The study highlights specific mines with high potential for various minerals, such as germanium in Alaska’s Red Dog mine and nickel in Montana’s Stillwater and East Boulder mines. The authors argue that the fastest way to increase domestic mineral production is by optimizing existing mining operations through adding recovery circuits for byproducts, which could quickly bring needed minerals to
energylithiumelectric-vehiclesminingcritical-mineralsbattery-materialssustainable-energyShould We Sacrifice The Seabed Floor For Next Generation Technology? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica discusses the environmental and ethical concerns surrounding deep sea mining, particularly in light of recent U.S. government actions promoting the practice despite international prohibitions. Deep sea mining targets polymetallic nodules on the ocean floor, which contain valuable minerals like lithium, cobalt, copper, nickel, manganese, and rare earth elements essential for modern technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, and medical devices. However, these nodules are home to unique and poorly understood marine ecosystems, including bioluminescent animals and species adapted to oxygen-minimum zones. Mining these nodules would destroy these fragile habitats, raising significant ecological concerns. The article highlights the tension between technological and economic interests and the need to protect the ocean’s last largely untouched frontier. While the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a legal framework for ocean governance and emphasizes the protection of marine environments for present and future generations, the Trump administration has pushed forward with mining initiatives under an older
energydeep-sea-miningrare-earth-elementslithiumcobaltelectric-vehicleswind-turbinesUS study finds lithium in reactor vessel could boost nuclear fusion
A recent US-led study involving nine institutions has found that using lithium as a wall material in tokamak fusion reactors could significantly enhance fusion performance. Lithium coatings on reactor walls help stabilize plasma by creating an even temperature gradient from the plasma core to its edge, which is crucial for maintaining stable plasma conditions needed for commercial fusion. Unlike pre-applied lithium coatings, injecting lithium powder during fusion operation proves more effective, as it forms a self-repairing molten layer that protects the vessel walls from the extreme heat—temperatures hotter than the sun’s core—by creating a gas or vapor shield. This protective mechanism reduces wall erosion and limits unwanted material entering the plasma, thereby improving plasma-facing surface durability. The study also addressed concerns about fuel trapping in lithium, finding that the thickness of lithium coatings before plasma shots does not significantly affect fuel retention. Lithium’s ability to absorb fuel atoms rather than reflect them helps stabilize the plasma edge, enhance plasma confinement, and enable higher power densities—key factors for developing compact and efficient
lithiumnuclear-fusionfusion-reactormaterials-scienceplasma-facing-componentstokamakenergy-innovationChina’s 540 million-ton lithium find could shake up global EV game
China has announced a significant discovery of a hard-rock lithium deposit in the Jijiaoshan mining area of Hunan Province, estimated to contain 490 million tonnes of lithium ore with about 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide. This altered granite-type deposit offers advantages over traditional brine sources, including faster processing, lower upfront costs, and more flexible product outputs. The find also includes valuable byproducts like rubidium, tungsten, and tin, which could enhance the economic viability of mining operations. This discovery is poised to support local industrial development and strengthen China’s dominant position in the global battery-materials supply chain. China currently holds 16.5% of global lithium reserves, second only to Chile, and controls over 70% of lithium refining capacity worldwide. The country is also exploring a large spodumene belt in Tibet that could further increase its lithium reserves. With China hosting over 60% of the world’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet and accounting for 76% of global
lithiumbattery-materialselectric-vehiclesenergy-storageminingChina-energy-industrylithium-refiningRussia captures Europe’s richest lithium site spanning 100 acres
Russian forces have seized control of a significant lithium-rich site near the village of Shevchenko in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. Spanning about 100 acres, this site is among Europe’s largest lithium reserves, a mineral critical for electric vehicle batteries, aerospace alloys, energy storage, and electronics. Despite the village’s limited tactical value, the subsurface lithium resources hold growing strategic importance amid rising global demand driven by decarbonization and military modernization. The capture strengthens Russia’s hold over Ukraine’s natural resources and fits a broader pattern of targeting key industrial assets to undermine Ukraine’s economic recovery and future investment prospects. The seizure directly challenges a recent US-Ukraine bilateral agreement aimed at fostering investment in Ukraine’s critical mineral sector, including the Shevchenko deposit. This move complicates Western efforts to develop resilient, non-Chinese supply chains for battery-grade lithium and other essential minerals, which are vital for energy transition, defense manufacturing, and economic stability. By controlling this resource corridor, Russia enhances its
lithiumenergy-storageelectric-vehicle-batteriescritical-mineralsresource-controlindustrial-supply-chainsenergy-materialsJadarite, earth’s Kryptonite twin, could fuel 90% of Europe’s e-cars
Jadarite, a rare mineral discovered in 2004 in Serbia’s Jadar Basin by Rio Tinto, has gained renewed attention for its potential to significantly impact Europe’s electric vehicle (EV) battery industry. Chemically similar to the fictional Kryptonite from the 2006 film Superman Returns, jadarite contains high concentrations of lithium and boron—two critical elements for green technologies. Lithium is essential for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries powering EVs, while boron is used in fertilizers, smartphone glass, and renewable energy components. Researchers at the Natural History Museum in London have decoded the mineral’s rare formation process, which requires highly specific environmental conditions, making jadarite unique and currently found only in Serbia. The significance of jadarite lies in its potential to supply up to 90% of Europe’s lithium demand for EV batteries, offering a lower-energy extraction alternative compared to traditional lithium sources like spodumene. This could be transformative for Europe’s clean energy transition and reduce reliance on imported
lithiumelectric-vehiclesrenewable-energybattery-materialsjadaritegreen-energyenergy-transitionChina Dominates Global Trade of Battery Minerals - CleanTechnica
battery-mineralslithiumcobaltgraphitebattery-supply-chainenergy-storageclean-technologyPure Lithium Announces Engagement with Kingston Process Metallurgy to Scale Lithium Metal Anode Production
lithiumbattery-technologyenergymaterialselectroplatingproductionmetallurgy