Want to make the earth a net-zero carbon emission planet, what’s the most important thing we need?
Lithium!
The majority of these harmful emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are produced when we burn fossil fuels. So, if we want to reduce emissions, we must abandon fossil fuels. We must adopt alternatives, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy.
So, if everyone is aiming for net-zero emissions, lithium is bound to be in high demand. Countries with abundant lithium reserves will be rubbing their hands in delight as well. India is one of them. Because the government announced the discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir on February 9th.
Suddenly, everyone’s excited. Media and YouTube headlines scream how India is definitely going to be an EV superpower thanks to these deposits. We can soon export to the world.
When it comes to mineral deposits, we usually need to pass three levels of scrutiny. The first level is referred to as the ‘inferred’ level. This means that the authorities have taken a few samples and examined the evidence. The evidence suggests that deposits of a specific grade exist. However, it has not yet been fully verified. As a result, we refer to the deposits as a resource rather than a reserve. At this point, we must proceed with caution.
The next step is to collect more samples and conduct more research. The level is then raised to ‘indicated’ based on the evidence. It essentially means that the authorities are more certain of the extent to which deposits exist. At this point, they can begin slowly planning mines and putting hard numbers on the economics of lithium extraction.
Finally, there is the measured status. This is the highest level of trust that authorities can bestow on the deposits. We can be fairly certain about the extent of deposits that can be mined, extracted, and commercialized at this point. And we can usually start calling it a reserve. Not just a down payment.
And we haven’t heard anything about these deposits in a long time. As a result, we have no idea how far we’ve come. Whether or not it is feasible. The discovery in J&K is essentially the same. We don’t yet know if it’s financially viable. Even if it is, the mining and extraction will take time. It will take some time. Perhaps ten years or more. As a result, we must temper our enthusiasm.
To obtain the metal, minors must first pump the lithium-rich saltwater or brine from underground onto the surface. They let it evaporate and then extract the lithium from it. Pumping and washing these deposits requires a large amount of water as well. One tonne of lithium requires 2,000 tonnes of water to produce.
This has an impact on groundwater levels as well. When groundwater recedes, it draws water from freshwater reservoirs used by people and cattle. This harms the local communities that rely on these lands for a living. Their crops suffer, and their cattle suffer as well. As a result of this egregious use of local water resources, rivers and lakes are disappearing.
Then there’s the concern about wildlife. For example, the saltwater lakes in this area are ideal for certain flamingo species. However, as water levels drop due to mining, their food sources suffer. In addition, the flamingo population has decreased by 11% in the last decade. It is detrimental to the ecosystem, which relies on these birds to regulate it. It could even mean the demise of a major ecotourism attraction that generates revenue.
These are not the same environmental issues that J&K may face. However, mining in the Himalayas could bring in a whole new set of companies. Especially since it is a relatively new geographical formation prone to earthquakes and land subsidence.
So, yes, lithium is required for the transition to a greener world. However, it may come at the expense of massive environmental damage during the mining process. And, even if we can extract the 5.9 million tonnes of the mineral, reconciling this paradox will be the most difficult challenge in India’s quest for Lithium superpower status.
Reference: Finshots
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