r/technology • u/ourlifeintoronto • Sep 10 '23

Transportation Lithium discovery in US volcano could be biggest deposit ever found

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/lithium-discovery-in-us-volcano-could-be-biggest-deposit-ever-found/4018032.article
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u/WormLivesMatter Sep 11 '23

This deposit, thacker pass, has been known about for decades. It’s the market allowing it to move towards a mine. And some technology advancements since it’s clay hosted. Most Li is brine (think thick salt water) or pegmatite (think massive Li minerals you can see and are as big as your head) hosted. Sed/vol hosted Li needed a new processing line. I guess it’s ready if this is in the news.

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u/AlphaLemming Sep 11 '23

Eh I don't think it's guaranteed ready. The article talks about them potentially making the find significant IF they can extract the Li without too much energy/acid. I imagine that process is experimental at likely a trade secret. Sounds like a company is finally making the bet, but it's still a risk and not a done deal.

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u/WormLivesMatter Sep 11 '23

I work in the industry and as far as mine planning goes it’s very far along. Them it has the backing of the government which is a big help.

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u/Sappledip Sep 11 '23

Do you know of any large publicly traded companies that are deeply involved in these prototype processes? Asking for no reason really…

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u/FirstMiddleLass Sep 11 '23

IF they can extract the Li without too much energy/acid.

Hopefully they won't frack it up.

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u/WormLivesMatter Sep 11 '23

That’s one idea. Silicon Valley tech bros started so many lithium extraction companies in the salton sea the past decade looking to exactly that. Bill gates company is the farthest along. It’s call ILE though not fracking. They made the name cooler.

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u/brundlfly Sep 11 '23

With clay, I wonder if extraction is a water intensive process- we don't need more of those.

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u/Ismhelpstheistgodown Sep 11 '23

Timing of the article suggests to me that they are angling for a few more deal sweetening EPA exemptions.

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u/[deleted] Sep 11 '23

They aren’t mining there because we keep stopping them in the courts, it’s not new or good.