A Breakthrough in Lithium Extraction Could Shake Up the Global Market

["In a study published in Science, researchers revealed a novel technique for extracting lithium from silicate minerals, which could potentially revolutionize the global lithium market. This new method, being commercialized by startup Rock Zero, utilizes a weak acid to dissolve nonreactive silicate minerals, releasing lithium and other valuable materials like alumina and silica. According to Yet-Ming Chiang, an MIT professor and co-author of the study, 'At scale, we believe this will be the lowest-cost way of sourcing lithium in the world.'", "The current dominant methods for lithium extraction are geographically limited and environmentally taxing.

Extracting lithium from brine requires vast tracts of land for massive evaporation pools, while hard-rock mining involves blasting apart large bodies of ore, cooking them at high temperatures, and processing them with hazardous chemicals. In contrast, the researchers' new method takes place at temperatures of up to 95 °C (200 °F) and uses simple stirred plastic tanks. The process can extract nearly all the lithium from spodumene ore within a couple of days, with the time recently reduced to under 12 hours.", 'The breakthrough came from an unexpected source: glass etching cream, which contains ammonium fluoride, a weak acid.

MIT researchers discovered that this acid can effectively dissolve silicate minerals without producing hydrofluoric acid, a highly dangerous chemical. This chemistry could be applied to various silicate minerals, and spodumene, a mineral often mined for lithium, became a prime target. By avoiding the need for high-temperature roasting, the new process could save energy costs and potentially reduce carbon emissions.', "Rock Zero's team estimates that the cost of extracting lithium using this process could be less than $6,000 per metric ton, making it competitive with traditional brine extraction methods.

The company is currently working to scale and optimize the process, with plans to build a pilot plant by the end of 2026 and start operations in 2027. However, experts warn that the lithium market is volatile, and new players like Rock Zero will have to compete with established giants and potential technological alternatives like sodium-ion batteries.", "Despite the challenges, Rock Zero's team is optimistic about the potential of their technology, which could be applied to other minerals in the future. As Benjamin Mowbray, the company's CTO and co-founder, notes, 'The Earth's crust is made of silicates.' The company's goal is to make 'nose-to-tail' mining a reality, using every part of the ore provided and minimizing waste.

If successful, this breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for the global lithium market and the transition to renewable energy."]