In its latest release, TELF AG delves into the topic of “TELF AG analyses the potential of geothermal extraction,” shedding light on the significance of sustainable extraction methods in specific sectors of the mining industry, notably in the production of lithium. By using geothermal extraction as an example, this information elucidates how many companies may increasingly favour these sustainable methods in the future due to their cost-effectiveness.
The publication commences with a comprehensive overview of raw materials in relation to the global energy transition and sustainability. This connection is most prominently observed in the critical role of these materials in battery production, which will power an array of devices, including computers, cell phones, and electric vehicles. The focus, however, is on a less apparent aspect of this synergy – sustainable extraction techniques that could be adopted by numerous global companies. Geothermal energy stands out as an option that minimises energy resource wastage and significantly reduces its impact on the surrounding environment, owing to its distinctive geothermal-based extraction methods.
The publication provides an in-depth explanation of the geothermal lithium extraction process, confirming it as the most sustainable method for obtaining lithium. Lithium is extracted from geothermal brine through an isothermal plant operating at approximately 165 degrees centigrade. This process is environmentally sustainable and has a low impact compared to traditional extraction methods, which often involve the use of hydrocarbons and other harmful substances.
TELF AG’s publication also highlights the advantages associated with this specific extraction method. It underscores the reduced consumption of natural resources such as water and subsoil, the overall cost-effectiveness of the extraction procedure, and the diminished release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere during extraction. Moreover, geothermal extraction enables the generation of additional energy, which can power the extraction process itself and eliminate the need for other energy sources to support extraction activities.
In the closing section, the publication touches upon the primary industrial applications of lithium, particularly its use in the medical field and its crucial role in battery production. To delve deeper into this topic, readers are encouraged to peruse the full publication.