As the world shifts towards a greener future, the demand for lithium ~ a critical component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage ~ has skyrocketed. Chile, home to one of the largest lithium reserves in the world, has been at the forefront of this supply chain. However, a deeper look into the environmental impact of lithium extraction reveals a startling reality. Chile’s Atacama salt flat, a unique and fragile ecosystem, is slowly sinking due to the intensive mining practices that fuel our green ambitions. The sinking of the Atacama salt flat is not a mere anomaly; it is a direct consequence of the extraction of lithium-rich brine.
According to recent studies, the southwest part of the salt flat, where lithium mining is most intense, is subsiding at a rate of 1 to 2 cm per year. While this may seem insignificant at first glance, the long-term implications are alarming. The extraction process, which relies on pumping vast amounts of brine from beneath the salt flat, is outpacing the natural recharge of the aquifers.
This imbalance is causing the earth’s surface to gradually sink, potentially leading to irreversible changes in the region’s geology. The environmental costs of lithium extraction extend beyond subsidence. The Atacama region is one of the driest places on Earth, and water is a precious resource. The traditional method of lithium extraction involves evaporating large quantities of brine, resulting in the loss of 90 per cent of the water to the atmosphere. This not only depletes the region’s scarce water resources but also threatens the livelihoods of local communities and wildlife that depend on the limited freshwater supply.
Indigenous communities living in the Atacama have long voiced concerns about the impact of lithium mining on their environment and way of life. For them, the depletion of freshwater and brine is not just an environmental issue. It is a matter of survival. The region’s unique flora and fauna, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth, are also at risk as their habitats shrink and water becomes scarcer. While there is hope that new technologies, such as Direct Lithium Extraction, could mitigate some of the environmental impacts by re-injecting groundwater after lithium is extracted, this solution is still in the experimental stage.
The challenge remains to balance the growing demand for lithium with the need to protect the fragile ecosystems and communities that lie in its path. As the world accelerates towards a future powered by renewable energy, it is imperative to recognise that not all green technologies are without environmental costs. The extraction of lithium, while essential for the energy transition, must be managed with caution and responsibility. Policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers alike must prioritise sustainable practices and consider the broader impacts of resource extraction on vulnerable ecosystems. Chile’s Atacama salt flat serves as a reminder that the pursuit of a green future cannot come at the expense of the environment and the people who depend on it.