A recent study published in IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing has brought to light significant environmental consequences of lithium mining in Chile’s Atacama salt flat. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Chile, reveals that the salt flat is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 centimeters per year due to the extensive extraction of lithium brine. This process involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and evaporating it in large ponds to extract lithium, a metal crucial for rechargeable batteries used in electronics and electric vehicles.

The study highlights that the worst subsidence is occurring in the southwestern part of the salt flat, where lithium mining operations are concentrated. This subsidence is attributed to the faster rate of brine extraction compared to the natural recharge of aquifers. Additionally, the mining process consumes vast amounts of fresh water—about 2,000 tons of water for each ton of lithium produced—putting severe stress on the already scarce water resources in the Atacama Desert. The environmental fallout also includes contamination of soil and water with chemicals used in the extraction process, and a noticeable decline in local wildlife, such as flamingos, due to reduced water levels.

The findings underscore the urgent need to address the environmental impacts of lithium mining, particularly in regions like the Atacama salt flat, which are vital to global efforts in sustainable energy and climate change mitigation.

About:

Atacama Salt Flat:

• Location: Northern Chile, within the Atacama Desert.
• Significance: One of the largest lithium reserves globally, essential for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and electronic devices.

Lithium Mining:

• Process: Involves pumping salt-rich brine to the surface and evaporating it to extract lithium.
• Environmental Concerns: Mining depletes fresh water, contaminates soil, and impacts local ecosystems.

University of Chile:

• Role: Conducted the study using satellite data from 2020 to 2023 to analyze the salt flat’s subsidence.
• Findings: The southwest part of the salt flat, where most mining occurs, is experiencing significant sinking.