Are global water models overestimating lithium mining in South America?

New research reveals that current global water models dramatically overestimate the amount of freshwater available for lithium mining in South America’s Lithium Triangle, a critical hub for the world’s battery supply. Using a custom-built model, scientists found that freshwater inflows are 10 tim

Does lithium need a sustainable water management strategy?

As demand for lithium skyrockets, so does the urgency for the industry, governments, and communities to collaborate on sustainable water management, especially with new mining methods consuming even more water.

How much freshwater flows into the Lithium Triangle?

The two most commonly used global water models suggest that the freshwater flowing into the Lithium Triangle’s basins is approximately 90 and 230 mm per year. “But after an initial assessment,” says Kirshen, “we suspected it was going to be too inaccurate for our purposes.”

Where is lithium found in the Lithium Triangle?

In the Lithium Triangle, lithium is commonly found in layers of volcanic ash, where it reacts readily with water. As rain or snowmelt percolates through these layers, lithium is carried into the groundwater and flows downhill, eventually pooling in flat desert basins. There, it remains in solution as a dense, lithium-rich brine.

Where does lithium come from?

There, it remains in solution as a dense, lithium-rich brine. Because this brine is heavier than freshwater, it sinks beneath surface water pockets, forming layered lagoons that are home to delicate ecosystems. Much of the world’s lithium deposits are contained in hyperarid salars, like this one, Salar de Atacama in Chile. Credit: David Boutt

Is lithium mining a reality in the Lithium Triangle?

“Because lithium mining is a reality in the Lithium Triangle,” the authors conclude, “scientists, local communities, regulators, and producers must collaborate to reduce water use,” as well as commit to better monitoring precipitation, streamflow, and groundwater levels for an even more precise hydrological picture.