After several years of hard work, SLB (formerly Schlumberger) is preparing to enter the direct lithium extraction (DLE) market. This technology has been tested in the Nevada desert; it could see its first results by 2027. DLE is positioned as an ecological and economical alternative to traditional extraction methods, which are often very water-intensive and devastating for the environment.
Lithium more affordable and less harmful to the environment
Lithium is a central element in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles, but also for smartphones. SLB wants to position itself as a major player in the energy transition, by developing more sustainable and economical solutions for the extraction of this metal.
Historically, lithium has been extracted via evaporation ponds requiring large quantities of water or by open-pit mining, which are time-consuming and costly processes. The technology developed by SLB seeks to recover more than 90% of the lithium contained in underground brines, compared to around 50% for evaporation ponds.
« We have developed a complete solution, from extraction to production of pure lithium, while minimizing the use of precious resources such as water “, says SLB. This system also allows lithium to be produced 500 times faster than traditional methods, while achieving an impressive recovery rate of 96%.
The company intends to produce lithium at a cost of less than $5,000 per metric ton, taking into account construction and operating costs amortized over a 20-year period. Currently, the Price of lithium is hovering around $10,000 per ton, a significant drop of more than 75% over the past year. This price drop is an opportunity for SLB.
The developed technology could be deployed not only in the United States and Canada, but also in South America and other regions rich in lithium resources. SLB plans to build a plant capable of producing 10,000 metric tons of lithium per year and hopes to attract many customers.
Among them, Panasonic: the group is currently testing the quality and consistency of the lithium produced by SLB. The aim is to ensure that the final product meets the requirements of battery manufacturers, particularly those used in long-range electric vehicles. The company also plans to continue testing other brines around the world, in order to adapt to different geographical and climatic conditions.
🟣 To not miss any news on the WorldOfSoftware, , .