May 2, 2025 – Santiago, Chile –
In the context of the growing global demand for essential minerals for the energy transition, Chile has taken a significant step towards more sustainable mining with the implementation of new technologies in lithium extraction. This advance not only responds to the need to supply the industries with electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, but also seeks to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with traditional mining.
The transition to a clean economy, driven by renewable energy, has created an unprecedented demand for materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, which are essential for the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems and other electronic devices. In particular, lithium has emerged as the most important mineral, due to its use in rechargeable batteries that power the key technologies for the decarbonization of the global economy. Chile, which has the world’s largest lithium deposit in the Salar de Atacama, is at the center of this global transformation, and is now leading the way with a more responsible and ecological approach.
Innovation in Direct Lithium Extraction
The Chilean company SQM (Sociedad QuÃmica y Minera de Chile), one of the largest lithium producers in the country, has announced the start of operations with a new direct lithium extraction plant (DLE) in the Salar de Atacama, the richest area in lithium on the planet. This technology, which uses an ion exchange process, allows to extract lithium from the brines of the salt room without having to resort to large evaporation pools. This advance promises a significant reduction in water consumption, an already scarce resource in this desert region.
The DLE process involves the use of resins and other chemical compounds that allow lithium to be extracted from brines much more efficiently than traditional methods. The main advantage of this method is that it does not depend on the long evaporation process used in swimming pools, which can take up to a year. Instead, lithium is extracted faster and with less water use, which helps mitigate the environmental impact of mining in the Salar de Atacama, one of the driest regions in the world.
Ricardo Ramos, CEO of SQM, highlighted in a recent conference that the adoption of this technology represents a paradigm shift in the mining industry. “Not only are we producing more lithium to meet global demand, but we are doing it in a much more efficient and environmentally friendly way. This is a crucial step for Chilean mining to become a model of sustainability,” Ramos said.
The Environmental Impact of Traditional Lithium Mining and the DLE Solution
Lithium mining has been criticized due to the environmental impacts it generates, particularly in regions such as Salar de Atacama. Traditional lithium extraction requires large amounts of water, which has generated concerns about the decrease in water tables in a region already characterized by its water scarcity. Large evaporation pools used in traditional lithium extraction can consume up to 2 million liters of water per day. This process can also affect local biodiversity, since the overexploitation of water resources impacts the flora and fauna of the area, which depends on water to survive.
The adoption of DLE technology represents a direct response to these concerns. By reducing the need for large volumes of water and eliminating evaporation pools, the extraction of lithium by DLE is considerably more sustainable. According to SQM calculations, water use in the DLE process will be reduced by up to 50% compared to traditional methods. This is not only beneficial for the local ecosystem, but also allows Chile to continue its leadership in lithium production without compromising its natural resources.
Social and Economic Benefits for Local Communities
In addition to environmental benefits, SQM’s new lithium extraction plant will also have a positive impact on local communities. It is estimated that the project will generate more than 200 direct jobs in the region, with a focus on hiring local labor. Job creation will not only alleviate the unemployment rate in the area, but will also provide new training and training opportunities for workers in key mining and technology sectors.
The DLE plant will also boost the local economy by hiring small and medium-sized enterprises that will provide the goods and services necessary for mining operations. In this regard, SQM has established agreements with local suppliers to ensure that the benefits of the project are distributed equally in the community. “This is a project that not only benefits the company, but also has a positive impact on the community,” Ramos said.
In the long term, the project will help consolidate Chile as a world leader in sustainable lithium production, which can attract more foreign investments and strengthen its position in the global renewable energy market. Sustainable lithium mining is emerging as a key engine for Chile’s economic growth, especially in a context in which the demand for this mineral will not stop increasing in the coming years.
Projections for the Future of Lithium and Renewable Energy
As lithium demand continues to grow, especially due to the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, sustainability challenges in lithium mining become more evident. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) report, lithium demand could increase by up to 700% by 2030, driven by the massive adoption of electric vehicles and the expansion of renewable energies. This presents a great opportunity for producing countries such as Chile, which have vast lithium resources, but also poses the challenge of how to extract these minerals in a responsible and environmentally friendly way.
Technological innovation will be key to ensuring that lithium mining continues to be a profitable economic activity without compromising the environment. In addition to the adoption of technologies such as DLE, mining companies will have to invest in battery recycling projects, which allow lithium and other valuable minerals to be recovered, reducing the need to extract more resources from the earth. The circular economy is emerging as a key model for the mining of the future.
Chile as a Global Leader in Sustainable Mining
The success of the DLE plant in the Salar de Atacama represents a milestone in sustainable mining and places Chile in a position of global leadership in lithium production. As the country advances in the implementation of cleaner and more efficient technologies, its role in the global energy transition becomes even more relevant.
Chile has shown that it is possible to produce minerals critical for the energy transition in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner. Through collaboration between companies, governments and local communities, the country is forging a green mining model that can be replicated in other nations rich in mineral resources. This approach not only contributes to global sustainability, but also positions Chile as a benchmark in the mining of the future.
A Model for the Future of Global Mining
The global energy transition depends largely on the mining of minerals such as lithium, and the way in which these resources are managed will determine the success of this process. The adoption of sustainable technologies in lithium extraction, such as DLE technology, marks the beginning of a new era for mining, in which economic and environmental objectives are aligned.
Chile, with its leadership in lithium production and its innovative approach to sustainable mining, is demonstrating that it is possible to move towards a cleaner and more responsible economy without compromising the well-being of local communities or natural resources. This advance not only has positive implications for Chile, but will also serve as a model for other developing countries that seek to use their mineral resources in a sustainable and fair way.
