US bets on new lithium extraction technology

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has committed to a $1.4 billion loan for a project that will use an emerging technology to separate lithium from geothermal brines in California. The agency says the loan, to EnergySource Minerals, is an important step toward establishing a battery supply chain in the US. EnergySource plans to build a direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant in Imperial County, near the Salton Sea. At full capacity, the firm hopes to produce 20,000 metric tons (t) of lithium hydroxide per year, enough for about half a million electric car batteries. EnergySource had hoped to start operating the plant this year but now says trial operations are slated for 2026 and full production is expected by the end of 2027. EnergySource will have to meet certain conditions before closing the loan. EnergySource has secured investments from the oil-field services company SLB and from Livent, a lithium producer