Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Lithium Mining, Extraction, and Refining Technologies: a Global Perspective

Khakmardan, S; Rolinck, M; Cerdas, F; Herrmann, C; Giurco, D; Crawford, R; Li, W

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Lithium Mining, Extraction, and Refining Technologies: a Global Perspective

Khakmardan, S Rolinck, M Cerdas, F Herrmann, C Giurco, D

Crawford, R Li, W

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Procedia CIRP, 2023, 116, pp. 606-611
Issue Date:: 2023-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Khakmardan, S
dc.contributor.author	Rolinck, M
dc.contributor.author	Cerdas, F
dc.contributor.author	Herrmann, C
dc.contributor.author	Giurco, D https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1707-9531
dc.contributor.author	Crawford, R
dc.contributor.author	Li, W
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-03T00:55:05Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-03T00:55:05Z
dc.date.issued	2023-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Procedia CIRP, 2023, 116, pp. 606-611
dc.identifier.issn	2212-8271
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173938
dc.description.abstract	The clean energy transition requires a considerable amount of different minerals, and lithium is one of the most critical elements owing to its use in Lithium-ion batteries for various applications. This led to calling this element “White Oil”, predominately extracted from brines and hard rocks. Alternative resource types, such as hectorite and zinnwaldite, become attractive and potentially feasible due to the surging market demand and price. Importantly, each resource type shows unique mineral characteristics and requires different process technologies, resources and energy for lithium extraction and production, resulting in distinctive environmental impacts. Therefore, this paper presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impact of selected lithium production routes: brine (Chile), spodumene (Australia & China), hectorite (Mexico), and zinnwaldite (Germany). The cradle-to-gate LCA models suggest that brine resources have the lowest impact regarding global warming potentials. In contrast, spodumene-based and emerging routes (i.e., hectorite and zinnwaldite) appear more carbon-intensive than brine routes, but it is worth noting the uncertainties of this conclusion due to a lack of high-quality data in the public domain.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Procedia CIRP
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.procir.2023.02.102
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	4014 Manufacturing engineering
dc.title	Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Lithium Mining, Extraction, and Refining Technologies: a Global Perspective
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	116
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-03T00:55:03Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	116

Abstract:

The clean energy transition requires a considerable amount of different minerals, and lithium is one of the most critical elements owing to its use in Lithium-ion batteries for various applications. This led to calling this element “White Oil”, predominately extracted from brines and hard rocks. Alternative resource types, such as hectorite and zinnwaldite, become attractive and potentially feasible due to the surging market demand and price. Importantly, each resource type shows unique mineral characteristics and requires different process technologies, resources and energy for lithium extraction and production, resulting in distinctive environmental impacts. Therefore, this paper presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify the environmental impact of selected lithium production routes: brine (Chile), spodumene (Australia & China), hectorite (Mexico), and zinnwaldite (Germany). The cradle-to-gate LCA models suggest that brine resources have the lowest impact regarding global warming potentials. In contrast, spodumene-based and emerging routes (i.e., hectorite and zinnwaldite) appear more carbon-intensive than brine routes, but it is worth noting the uncertainties of this conclusion due to a lack of high-quality data in the public domain.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173938