Researchers have just announced a breakthrough process for extracting lithium from hard-rock ore, a major step toward diversifying the supply of this essential metal for the clean energy sector. Startup Rock Zero is currently leading the efforts to commercialize this technology.
Background
Lithium is typically extracted from two primary sources: brine deposits and hard-rock ore. However, traditional rock extraction processes are often energy-intensive and require complex chemical processing steps. The new method developed by researchers focuses on optimizing how lithium is separated from the rock structure, minimizing environmental impact and increasing recovery yields.
Why it matters
With the boom in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, lithium has become the 'white gold' of the new era. Diversifying the supply not only helps stabilize battery costs but also ensures energy security for global supply chains.
For Vietnam, a country actively accelerating its transition to electric vehicles, advancements in lithium extraction technology are highly relevant. While Vietnam is not a powerhouse in lithium resources, more efficient and cleaner extraction processes from rock could open up opportunities for partnership or technological application in processing similar ores.