Water Shortage Threatens the World’s Most Abundant Lithium Reserves
Summary
A recent study highlights growing concerns over the environmental impact of lithium mining in the Lithium Triangle, a region in South America rich in lithium reserves. Researchers found that freshwater, which is essential to mining operations, is far more limited than previously believed. This scarcity not only threatens the future of lithium extraction but also puts local ecosystems and Indigenous communities at risk, as they rely on the same water sources for survival. The study calls for the lithium industry to adopt more sustainable practices, improve water efficiency, and develop a deeper understanding of water systems in the region. As global demand for lithium continues to rise due to the push for clean energy, the tension between environmental preservation and mineral extraction is becoming increasingly urgent.
Interesting/Important Facts
The "Lithium Triangle" in the Andean Plateau (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile) holds over half of the world’s lithium reserves.
Freshwater in the Lithium Triangle is about 10 times lower than previous estimates, according to a new study.
Lithium extraction requires up to 500,000 gallons of water per ton of lithium.
Freshwater in the region supports Indigenous agriculture and unique wildlife like short-tailed chinchillas, wild camelids, and pink flamingos found nowhere else.
Annual rainfall in the region can be as low as 20 millimeters (0.8 inches) in some areas.
Global demand for lithium is expected to increase 40-fold by 2040, while lithium battery demand may quadruple by 2030.
Freshwater shortages threaten both mining operations and ecosystems in the region.
Traditional global hydrologic models have overestimated freshwater supply due to limited weather station data.
The new study analyzed 28 watersheds using field data, meteorological reports, and mining industry sources for a more accurate model.
The lithium in the Triangle forms over millions of years, washed from rocks into brackish lagoons.
Mining companies concentrate lithium via evaporation methods, heavily relying on freshwater from aquifers.
Mining in Silver Peak, Nevada, is the U.S.'s only lithium mine and has also been criticized for excessive freshwater use.
Experts emphasize the need to improve water efficiency in lithium mining through research, technology, and market incentives.
There’s a call for broader research into the entire lithium supply chain, including water use in processing and transportation.
Understanding the Lithium Triangle’s water system could help inform sustainable mining practices globally.
My Opinion
This article highlights a critical and often overlooked consequence of the clean energy transition. This consequence is the environmental cost of lithium mining. While lithium is essential for powering electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, the massive water demand in the Lithium Triangle puts fragile ecosystems and Indigenous communities at serious risk. It’s alarming that previous estimates so severely overstated the region’s freshwater supply. This reinforces the need for better data, responsible mining practices, and urgent investment in water-efficient technologies. Clean energy should not come at the cost of clean water, especially in areas already facing extreme scarcity.