For electric vehicle batteries to be produced, lithium is an essential component. In addition to the problems related to his exploitation, he brings together fears of the end of his life. In this sense, Germany wanted to develop a process that would allow sustainable extraction of the component in existing mammoth deposits.
Apparently, in the deposits that have been found, it is estimated that there is enough lithium to manufacture batteries for about 400 million electric cars.
Germany found a huge source of lithium
A few months ago, Germany It confirmed that it is developing a process that would allow economical and sustainable extraction of lithium from thermal water deposits under the Rhine. For this purpose, the authorities studied the reserves at the site and realized that they were much larger than expected.
According to them, the sediments under the river could contain enough lithium to make batteries for around 400 million electric cars.
Specifically, lithium is dissolved and held within underground boiling water sources at depths of thousands of meters. If the German authorities' estimates of the size of the deposit were correct, that would be one of the largest in the world.
In this sense, although it faces many "ifs", if lithium is successfully extracted, Germany will reduce its dependence and Europe's dependence on component imports.
The company will explore one of the largest (presumed) deposits.
In addition to the efficient extraction of lithium, two major problems lie in the environmental impact and in the local population's opposition to this process. If, until now, large deposits were to be found in remote areas, exploration in populated areas of Germany might spark a different conversation.
The company continues Vulcan Energy No time is wasted and the project to build geothermal power plants has already been confirmed. These will be responsible for extracting the lithium and the investment, in the first stage, will be around 2 billion euros.
The company expects that it will be possible to extract 15,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually, in two facilities, until 2024. In turn, the second phase will begin in 2025 and will include the construction of a third facility, in addition to an increase of capacity of 40,000 tons.
If the expectations Vulcan Energy Identical, only the Rhine sediments would be able to extract more lithium than most of the sediments in the world.
