Climate Change
Mining Companies Say They Have a Better Way to Get Underground Lithium, but Skepticism Remains
Direct lithium extraction has been touted as a more environmentally friendly way to mine the resource needed for EV batteries. But the technology is largely untested and could impact already limited water supplies in the Southwest.
GREEN RIVER, Utah—When Kelly Dunham heard that water was gushing out from a test well earlier this month for a proposed lithium mine in the middle of this rural city of 900 residents, she went to see it for herself.
Mining Companies Say They Have a Better Way to Get Underground Lithium, but Skepticism Remains