Beneath the calm landscapes of Belgium’s Kempen region, an unprecedented find is causing ripples: lithium. This discovery by the Antwerp-based company, Hita, suggests levels up to 100 mg/litre in the water it pumps. While this might hint at a lithium-led gold rush, the full story offers more nuance.
Lithium: More Than Just a Metal
For the technologically uninitiated, lithium is a crucial element. It’s the powerhouse behind the batteries in our smartphones, laptops, and, importantly, electric vehicles (EVs). As the EU gears up to end the sale of combustion-powered cars by 2035, the demand for lithium, the battery kingpin, is set to skyrocket. The International Energy Agency anticipates a staggering nine-fold surge in demand by 2050.
But here’s where things get dicey. The lithium levels that Hita has discovered, although significant, hover at the edge of what’s currently deemed profitable for extraction. But there’s hope. Jean-Marc Baele, a leading geology professor at the Faculté Polytechnique de Mons, offers perspective, stating, “With advancements, what was once deemed unprofitable a decade ago might be a game-changer today.”
The Intricacies of Extraction
The process of deriving lithium, especially from geothermal sites like the one in Kempen, is complex. Unlike traditional rock mining, lithium here is extracted from circulating water. As Nicolas Dupont from UMons’ fundamental and applied geology department puts it, “This type of extraction is more environmentally friendly than conventional mining.” However, the longevity and consistency of this lithium concentration are still in question. Furthermore, there are promising geothermal lithium projects in Germany and Italy, but they remain untapped, hinting at the challenges ahead.
Public Perception: The ‘Nimby’ Effect
Mining’s historical shadows often eclipse its potential future benefits, especially in urban Europe. The “Nimby” (Not In My Backyard) sentiment is more than just an acronym; it’s a reflection of the modern paradox. While European cities yearn for new technologies, there’s a palpable resistance to the mining endeavors that enable them.
Jean-Marc Baele highlights this dichotomy, noting the nostalgia for the mining-rich past and the contrasting modern resistance. He further adds, “There’s a prevailing negative image of mining. Even environmentally-neutral extraction projects face skepticism.”
The Balance of Sovereignty, Economics, and Ethics
Beyond immediate profits, there’s a broader context. Belgium, like much of Europe, leans heavily on imports for its resources. Baele accentuates the choice ahead, “It’s a matter of national sovereignty and crisis-time price control. The potential might seem less lucrative due to factors like density and mining costs, but sometimes it’s about more than just the bottom line.”
The Lithium Conundrum
Belgium stands at a crossroads. On one hand, there’s the allure of a lucrative, in-demand resource right under its feet. On the other, the intertwined challenges of technology, public opinion, and national strategy. This isn’t a straightforward quest for a modern-day gold; it’s a layered debate on how best to forge ahead in an increasingly electrified future.
