This would free the United States from dependence on foreign sources such as Australia or South America. Lithium is a key element because it is what it is made of electric cars and the basis of batteries for other rechargeable devices.
The new deposit has an amount of reserves that would satisfy the lithium demand of all electric vehicles in the world nine times until 2030!
The latest according to the US Geological Survey Between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium are found in southwestern Arkansas. The researchers used water tests and machine learning models to collect the data. However, the extraction of lithium from the soil is a complicated and expensive process, which can make commercial exploitation difficult.
A Smackover Formation lithium is present in brines located deep in the geological unit called These highly saline waters are of ancient origin, but extracting pure lithium from them is not easy. Scientists are cautious about how much of the material can actually be extracted for commercial purposes, as the data is still theoretical.
“We estimate that there is enough lithium in this region to replace US lithium imports, and more.”– said Katherine Knierim, head of the research.
In the Smackover Formation, oil and gas were previously produced, but with the help of new methods that are still being developed, lithium can be extracted more quickly in the future using chemical solvents or filters.
The ExxonMobilthe US oil and gas giant, has already begun exploratory drilling in Arkansas and plans to begin lithium production by 2027. Their goal is to become a leading player in the supply of lithium for electric vehicles. The company has already acquired drilling rights for an area of 120,000 hectares in the Smackover Formation.
The US currently covers more than 25% of its lithium demand from imports, so the exploitation of the new source can also bring changes on a global level, and can elevate the country to the forefront of lithium production.
Source: www.vezess.hu
