Ravi R’s Post

🚨 New energy transition paper alert 🚨 CRC TiME top-up scholarship student and now PhD graduate Dr Fitsum Semere Weldegiorgis from Sustainable Minerals Institute has published 'Australian coal mining and economic diversification in the energy transition context' in Resources Policy. His analysis "takes a multi-stakeholder perspective framework as a narrative approach to ground-test the ‘just transition’ concept. In doing so, the paper demonstrates that justice, in terms of the economic diversification component of coal transition, entails considering implications on multiple economic sectors of coal regions as well as the interplay of actors, policies, and processes across multiple levels of public and private sectors."

Fool's Gold May Be Valuable After All After 'Unheard Of' Discovery (Hint- It’s loaded with lithium and consequently, green energy prospects.) Newsweek Published Apr 15, 2024 at 10:23 AM EDT Updated Apr 18, 2024 at 3:49 AM EDT Fool's gold or iron pyrite—a common mineral that resembles its precious counterpart—may be more valuable than scientists originally thought, as it has been found to be abundant in lithium. Lithium is vital to the future development of green energy. This is because the material, which is highly reactive, is a key element in batteries—including of the kind used in electric vehicles (hence the name, lithium ion batteries). Due to this, demand for lithium is soaring. The precious resource can be extracted from brines—and also mined in select locations including Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile and China. But scientists have now found it in an apparently undervalued mineral. The strange discovery was made after a team of researchers from West Virginia University set out to see whether lithium could be extracted with alternative industrial operations.

𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 #𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘂𝗺 #𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿: As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, the need for energy-relevant metals and critical minerals has surged dramatically. Driven by the rise of electric vehicles and other green technologies, these essential materials are in high demand across the globe.   Metals, such as lithium, cannot be grown. They must be mined or recycled, making this a top priority for researchers in the mining industry. Traditional methods of mining lithium are expensive and can be harmful to the environment, but researchers at Virginia Tech have found a way to minimize this environment impact. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/ev7sngRJ Peidong Liu, Wencai Zhang

Huge Lithium Reservoir Found Under Arkansas Spells Hope For Renewable Future It's enough to meet the projected 2030 world demand for lithium in car batteries nine times over. A new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) survey, made possible through #machinelearning and environmental testing, has led to the discovery of an estimated 5 to 19 million tons of #lithium reserves under southwestern #Arkansas. It's an amount that, if recoverable, would triple the US’s stockpile and make it a global leader in access to the mineral – not to mention giving a huge boost to the future of #electricvehicles. “Our research was able to estimate total lithium present in the southwestern portion of the Smackover in Arkansas for the first time,” said Katherine Knierim, a hydrologist and the study’s principal researcher, in a statement Tuesday. “We estimate there is enough dissolved lithium present in that region to replace U.S. imports of lithium and more.” Lithium has come a long way since being your great-grammy’s favorite soda flavoring. Today, it's one of the most important minerals around, forming the basis of the highest-performing #rechargeablebatteries commercially available. But as such, global demand for the mineral has shot up in recent years – as has its cost. “the price of lithium carbonate alone increased tenfold between late 2020 and 2022,” pointed out Robert House, a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford, in an article for The Conversation U.S. last year.  ‘With over 84% of known lithium deposits concentrated in Argentina, Australia, Chile and China, securing the raw materials for #lithiumionbatteries can be difficult and expensive for manufacturers,” House, who was not involved in the new study, explained. Should the lithium reserves in Smackover prove recoverable, however, the US alone would be able to meet, at a minimum, the projected 2030 world demand for lithium in car batteries nine times over, according to the USGS.  “Lithium is a critical mineral for the energy transition,” said USGS Director David Applegate, “and the potential for increased U.S. production to replace imports has implications for employment, manufacturing and supply-chain resilience.” It's not the first time the Smackover Formation has proven valuable. A vast and ancient geological formation left over from a Jurassic-era sea, Smackover has long been known for its rich deposits of oil and bromine – but in recent years, its potential as a source of lithium has become both more evident and more enticing. Technically, the lithium isn't there in a raw state – rather, it’s dissolved within brines. These are highly salty waters associated with deep salt deposits underground, and while it's totally possible to extract lithium from it – in fact, two-thirds of the world's lithium production comes from brine extraction – doing so is not without ecological and environmental concerns. Moreover, the estimates of lithium reserves in the area are...

Shihong Lin, associate professor at Vanderbilt University Civil & Environmental Engineering and chemical and biomolecular engineering, recently shared his expertise in Chemistry World about a water-splitting reaction reversal that could extract lithium more sustainably and cheaply. The new electrodialysis technique that directly and continuously extracts lithium from brines could be around 40% cheaper and have a much smaller environmental footprint than the most common mining method. Currently, the metal is mainly mined by pumping natural lithium brines from underground aquifers into evaporation ponds, and this takes a great deal of energy and chemical processing, as well as vast areas of land: https://lnkd.in/ecyMqYMP

🚀 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭! 🚀 Hello, my name is Juan Carlos Campos, and I am a master’s student at the University of Warwick, UK. I am conducting research for my dissertation, which has the potential to significantly impact the technological, economic, and sustainability issues related to dealing with methane emissions in the coal mining industry. My study, titled 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 aims to gather insights from professionals, institutions, organisations, and academics in this field. 🎯 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞? • 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑆𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ: Your insights will help advance understanding of methane emissions treatment in coal mining. • 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠: Influence the development of sustainable and economically viable technologies. • 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑓𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑛𝑜𝑛𝑦𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑠: The survey is short and anonymous, ensuring your privacy. 👉 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟎-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞:  https://lnkd.in/ec6cAM6C 🔗 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩?  Please share this post, tag, or DM information about professionals on your team who know this subject. Thank you in advance for your participation and support! 🔖 #CoalMining #Sustainability #MethaneEmissions #Research #Survey #EnvironmentalResearch #MiningIndustry #CleanEnergy #GreenTechnology #ClimateChange #EnergySector #MiningInnovation #IndustrialEmissions #UniversityResearch #AcademicResearch #TechInMining #SustainableMining #EnergyTransition #EnvironmentalSustainability #ResourceManagement #MiningTechnology ⛏ China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd.; Glencore; Coal India Limited; Yankuang Group; Washington H. Soul Pattinson; Alpha Metallurgical Resources; Yancoal Australia Ltd; Warrior Met Coal Inc; Arch Resources, Inc; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); ICMM; Global Methane Initiative (GMI); TERI - The Energy and Resources Institute; International Energy Agency (IEA); UNEP-WCMC; European Environment Agency

Rio Tinto 's planned #Jadar lithium project keeps creating headlines. On 19 August this article by Lukáš Onderčanin, “Zapáčiť sa Únii a zachrániť elektromobily. Srbský plán narazil na protest”, published by SME Svet, one of the major news outlets in #Slovakia. https://lnkd.in/eYQPKc7T My eye fell on the article as I was cited in it based on a previous interview for Euronews (“Why is lithium crucial to the EU's green and digital transition?”, Marta Pacheco – https://lnkd.in/e97J8fbv). As my Slovak is not yet up to speed 😅 I had to revert to my AI Co-Pilot for a translation. Here’s a summary: “Some people have environmental concerns about the [Jadar] mining [project], while others fear that Serbia has sold out to Western companies. Additionally, pro-Russian disinformation channels are amplifying these concerns." In our upcoming #documentary “Europe’s lithium paradox” we will be covering the Jadar project. What are the root causes of the opposition to this project? What about the environmental concerns? Is it about geopolitics, with many Serbians believing they are the victims of “neocolonialism”? Is there a concerted #disinformation campaign going on? How do scientists look at this? From a documentary point of view, this is all fascinating stuff, although not very helpful in overcoming Europe’s lithium paradox. 🎬 Europe’s #lithium paradox In an increasingly hostile global landscape, Europe stands on shaky ground, heavily dependent on foreign nations for Li imports, a key element in meeting our climate goals. This reliance leaves Europe in a vulnerable position. Yet, in a twist of irony, Europe is home to abundant Li reserves spread across the continent. However, Europe currently struggles to convert these Li deposits into operational mines. The absence of Li mines is further compounded by a lack of Li refineries and #batteryrecycling facilities. The recently passed CRMA seeks to accelerate these processes by classifying key CRM initiatives as ‘#StrategicProjects. These projects must comply with the highest #ESG standards, prove technical and economic viability, and gain support from their respective national governments. Our documentary will explore how Europe could potentially mine, refine, and recycle Li in the future, supplemented by strategies for managing demand. We will highlight key European Li #mining projects (cf. Mina do Barroso, Portugal; Jadar, Serbia), trying to understand where the mining opposition comes from. 🍽 Funding: Horizon Europe LITHOS & KU Leuven / SIM2 KU Leuven 🎬 Watch our documentary “Made in Europe: from mine to electric vehicle” (2023 & 2024): https://lnkd.in/eE9k9smN (Journeyman Pictures). [Stijn van Baarle Peter Tom Jones] SME article: https://lnkd.in/eYQPKc7T

The Double-Edged Sword: Lithium Mining in the Age of Clean Energy Lithium, a lightweight metal once a scientific curiosity, has become a cornerstone of the 21st century. Its unique properties make it the king of rechargeable batteries, powering the electric vehicles and electronic devices that are driving the clean energy revolution. However, the extraction of this vital resource, lithium mining, presents a double-edged sword. While critical for a sustainable future, it can have significant environmental and social consequences. There are two main methods for lithium mining: 1-brine extraction and hard rock extraction. Brine extraction, used in salt flats, involves pumping mineral-rich brines and evaporating the water to obtain lithium. 2-Hard rock extraction, similar to traditional mining, involves drilling and crushing rock containing lithium-bearing minerals. The environmental impacts of lithium mining are a cause for concern. Brine extraction can be highly water-intensive, especially in arid regions where lithium deposits are often found. This can strain water resources and disrupt delicate ecosystems. Improper management of brine can also lead to contamination of soil and water with heavy metals and arsenic. Hard rock mining also carries environmental risks, including land degradation, dust pollution, and potential for acid mine drainage. The social costs of lithium mining cannot be ignored either. Mining operations can disrupt local communities, displacing residents and affecting traditional livelihoods. Indigenous communities living near lithium deposits often have concerns about the impact on their lands and cultural heritage. Despite these challenges, the demand for lithium is projected to soar in the coming decades. This necessitates a proactive approach to ensure sustainable mining practices. Research and development of new extraction techniques, such as direct lithium extraction from seawater or geothermal brines, offer a promising path forward. Implementing stricter regulations and promoting responsible mining practices are crucial to minimize environmental and social damage. Furthermore, transparency and collaboration with local communities is essential. Mining companies must engage with local populations, address their concerns, and ensure they benefit from the development of lithium resources. Investing in renewable energy sources to power mining operations can further reduce the environmental footprint. In conclusion, lithium mining presents a complex challenge. It is a vital resource for the clean energy transition, but its extraction must be balanced with environmental and social considerations. #mining #lithium #tech #li #geology #mine #clean_energy #environment

Could seaweed play a part in the clean energy transition? Increasing demand for minerals needed to build green technologies like batteries and solar panels has led to an expansion of mining, with serious environmental and social downsides. But there could be a greener source for some of the rarest of these elements: seaweed. Some species of seaweed are known to accumulate high levels of certain minerals, known as rare earth elements - the key ingredients for the magnets in wind turbines and electronic motors. Find out about the researchers exploring ways to harvest these rare earth elements along with the seaweed, a new and still untested idea in the growing field of “biomining”.

The February 2024 issue of our newsletter is here, and it’s been an exciting month for the Association, our members, and the UK critical minerals industry. Read our newsletter here: https://bit.ly/3SV3TH2 February was a month of engagement and networking for the Critical Minerals Association (UK). Founder and CEO Kirsty Benham delivered a keynote address at the Energy Storage Summit in London, chaired a panel discussion at International Energy Week, and attended the Canada-UK Industrial Decarbonisation Forum. Communications Manager Eileen Maes also delivered a presentation on supply chain geopolitics at the University of Leeds’ SEG (Society of Economic Geologists) student chapter symposium on critical minerals, and attended the UK Mission to the European Union workshop on Green Skills in Brussels.  CMA (UK) maintained this event momentum in early March by hosting a joint breakfast reception with the British High Commission and Department for Business and Trade at PDAC 2024 on 4 March, as well as an expert panel discussion on the UK opportunity in ESG.  In the UK, there have been several exciting developments for industry and academia. The Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter has launched two new mining engineering programmes; the University of Liverpool and Imperial College London have opened AlChemy, a new AI research hub in the UK; Innovate UK has partnered with LESS COMMON METALS LIMITED and Xplore! on rolling out their Mine to Magnet workshop to local schools; and Dalradian has achieved a planning milestone for its polymetallic mine in Tyrone.  Our February issue provides snippets and summaries of this month’s political and industry developments, past and upcoming events and a global news round-up on critical minerals such as cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, nickel, manganese, rare earth elements, tin, tungsten, and vanadium. Read on for these highlights of February news and more headlines such as: -> Canada Announces $5m Development Fund for REE Separation Technology  -> Australia Opens $40m Fund for International Critical Mineral Partners  -> UK-African Investment Summit 2024 Postponed  -> International Energy Agency (IEA) Proposes Critical Minerals Security Program for Member States  -> British Geological Survey Builds Five New ‘Minecraft Worlds’  -> Register for Johnson Matthey’s Webinar Series on PGMs  -> Register for E-Waste World Conference & Expo 2024  -> Register for Innovation Zero Conference 2024