A new method to extract lithium from salty brines is more efficient and sustainable in its use of water, chemicals, and land than current methods, bringing down the cost of extracted lithium to less than a quarter of the metal’s current market price and using only a tenth of the electricity of today’s extraction methods. Current mining takes a year, requires a lot of land, and generates waste. This approach should cost about $3,500–$4,400 per ton of lithium from brine, while today’s typically costs about $9,100.
news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/08/new-technology-extracts-lithium-from-brines-inexpensively-and-sustainably.