Pathways to Greener Primary Lithium Extraction for a Really Sustainable Energy Transition: Environmental Challenges and Pioneering Innovations

The rapid increase in lithium demand has recently drawn attention to the environmental impacts of conventional mining processes. Pyrometallurgical extraction from hard rock is associated with high energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and land degradation. Extraction from brines involves the depletion of water resources and risks to local ecosystems. In response to these environmental challenges, this study explores innovative pathways for more sustainable primary lithium extraction for a truly green energy transition across the entire supply chain. This paper provides a comprehensive examination of novel technologies designed to mitigate these impacts, with particular emphasis on direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies, which offer promising solutions for water savings, CO2e emissions reduction, and improved lithium recovery. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature, along with an analysis of data and information from various pilot projects and demonstration plants, have been conducted. The main conclusion is that, despite considerable efforts by mining companies, two primary obstacles remain to the implementation of novel technology: scalability and operational costs. To address these challenges, it is essential to sustain consistent investments in R&D (Research and Development) initiatives and continue testing the implementation of the most sustainable experimental practices on an industrial scale.