Lithium Extraction in Utah Raises Water Concerns Amid Drought

An Australian company's initiative to mine lithium in southeast Utah is sparking worries about the potential impact on Colorado River water. This project, aimed at tapping into the lithium-rich saline waters of the Paradox Basin, has raised eyebrows over the use of water in a region already grappling with drought. The project’s proximity to the Green River, a significant tributary of the Colorado River, has especially fueled concerns among local residents and environmentalists.

The method proposed for lithium extraction involves a chemical process to separate lithium from saline groundwater, a technique that promises to be less invasive than traditional mining. However, the process's water usage implications, particularly its reliance on freshwater from the Colorado River system, have come under scrutiny. The Green River's water is critical, serving multiple states dependent on the overextended Colorado River.

Anson Resources, the company behind the project, asserts that their extraction method will be low-carbon and environmentally responsible. They plan to produce about 10,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually, enough to supply numerous electric vehicle batteries. The company emphasizes that natural pressure will facilitate the extraction, with most of the freshwater used in the process being recycled.

Despite these assurances, the novelty of the direct lithium extraction technology leaves many questions about its environmental footprint, particularly regarding water usage. Anson has secured rights to 2,500 acre-feet of water from the Green River, though the exact amount of water the project will consume remains unspecified. The firm maintains that the saline brine and freshwater are distinct entities, with impermeable geological layers separating them from drinkable water sources.