In an effort to reduce the US’s reliance on foreign imports, researchers have discovered a new source of lithium that has the potential to meet 40% of domestic demand. This untapped lithium mine was found in wastewater from a natural gas mining facility that uses hydraulic fracturing in Pennsylvania.
The discovery could offer an alternative method for gathering this essential element without the need for additional mining. The wastewater from Marcellus Shale gas wells contains enough lithium to significantly contribute to the US lithium demand.
The researchers found that the by-products of hydraulic fracturing, which are often considered waste, contain significant amounts of lithium. By extracting lithium from wastewater, workers can utilize these by-products and reduce waste. The efficiency of lithium extraction from wastewater has been reported to be up to 90%, with future research focusing on the environmental impact and the possibility of building a pilot facility for further extraction.
While there are plans to open more lithium mines in states like Nevada, California, and North Carolina, the mining process itself remains controversial due to environmental concerns. However, with this new discovery in Pennsylvania, officials may reconsider their plans for additional mining and focus instead on utilizing existing resources more efficiently.
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