About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
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| Symposium
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Fundamentals of Sustainable Metallurgy and Processing of Materials
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| Presentation Title |
Low-Carbon Lithium from Sedimentary Rock: Environmental Impacts and Synergies with EV Battery Supply Chains |
| Author(s) |
Ehsan Vahidi |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ehsan Vahidi |
| Abstract Scope |
The environmental impact of lithium production remains a growing concern despite its critical role in decarbonizing energy systems. This study conducts a life cycle assessment (LCA) of lithium extraction from sedimentary deposits (claystone) and compares it with brine and hard rock sources. Results show that sedimentary lithium production emits 22.6 tons of CO₂eq per ton of lithium carbonate, with 65% of emissions from carbonate mineral decomposition during leaching. To mitigate this, the study proposes on-site sulfuric acid production with energy recovery, reducing emissions to 18.2 tons CO₂eq per ton. The analysis extends to the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, estimating CO₂eq emissions per kWh for NMC622 and LFP batteries. Findings show that sourcing lithium from more sustainable pathways can significantly lower the environmental footprint of EV battery manufacturing. This study highlights the importance of process integration and resource selection in achieving climate goals through cleaner lithium production.
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| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Sustainability, Extraction and Processing, Hydrometallurgy |