Riskiest: Spodumene or brine extraction most reliable?

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Both spodumene and brine extraction methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and which method is more reliable depends on various factors such as the geological conditions of the deposit, the required purity of the lithium, the scale of production, and the cost of production.

Spodumene mining involves extracting lithium from hard rock ore, which is typically found in pegmatite deposits. The spodumene ore is mined, crushed, and then undergoes a flotation process to separate the lithium-bearing minerals from other minerals. The resulting concentrate is then roasted and leached with acid to produce lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide. One advantage of spodumene mining is that the ore contains higher concentrations of lithium compared to brine deposits, which typically contain lower concentrations of lithium. However, spodumene mining can be more expensive than brine extraction, and it requires more energy and water.

Brine extraction involves pumping lithium-rich brine from underground reservoirs and evaporating the water to concentrate the lithium. Brine deposits are typically found in arid regions such as the Atacama Desert in Chile and the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. One advantage of brine extraction is that it is less energy-intensive and requires less water compared to spodumene mining. However, brine deposits can be more difficult to locate, and the concentration of lithium can vary depending on the location.

Overall, both spodumene and brine extraction methods have their pros and cons, and the most reliable method depends on the specific circumstances of each mining operation.

Is brine extraction from salars intermittent
Brine extraction from salars can be intermittent depending on various factors such as the climate, rainfall, and evaporation rates. Salars are typically located in arid regions where the annual precipitation is low, and the evaporation rates are high. The brine is pumped from underground reservoirs and then concentrated through evaporation using the heat of the sun.

During the rainy season, which can vary depending on the location, the brine extraction process may be temporarily halted due to the increased water inflow into the salar. This can dilute the concentration of lithium in the brine, making it less economical to extract. Additionally, during periods of low evaporation rates, the concentration of lithium in the brine may not increase as quickly, leading to a slower extraction process.

Overall, the intermittency of brine extraction from salars is highly dependent on the specific location and the prevailing climate conditions. However, mining companies can mitigate some of the risks associated with intermittency by carefully managing the extraction process and monitoring the weather and climate conditions to optimize production.

The duration and severity of the intermittency of brine extraction from salars can vary widely depending on the specific location and the prevailing climate conditions. Some salars may experience only minor interruptions in the brine extraction process, while others may face more significant challenges.

In general, the intermittency of brine extraction from salars is most pronounced during the rainy season, which can last for several months in some locations. During this period, the inflow of water into the salar can dilute the brine and reduce the concentration of lithium, making it less economical to extract. In some cases, the rainy season may also lead to flooding, which can temporarily halt the extraction process.

Conversely, during the dry season, which can also vary in length depending on the location, the evaporation rates may be high, leading to a rapid increase in the concentration of lithium in the brine. However, this may also lead to the formation of salt crusts on the surface of the salar, which can make it more difficult to extract the brine.

Overall, it is difficult to provide a specific number of days or months for the intermittency of brine extraction from salars as it depends on several factors such as location, climate, and mining practices. However, mining companies can take steps to mitigate the impact of intermittency by carefully managing the extraction process and monitoring the weather and climate conditions.

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Here are a few mining companies that are involved in both spodumene and brine extraction:

Allkem (ASX) AKE formerly known as Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) - Allkem operates the Mt Cattlin spodumene mine in Western Australia and the Sal de Vida brine project in Argentina.

Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE) - Orocobre operates the Olaroz brine project in Argentina and also has a 75% interest in the Naraha Lithium Hydroxide Plant in Japan, which processes spodumene concentrate. Orocombe merged with GXY in 2021 and became Allkem.

Allkem in $16b merger with US-based Livent to create a global lithium producer. https://www.businessnewsaustralia.co...-producer.html

Altura Mining Limited (ASX: AJM) - Altura Mining operates the Altura lithium mine in Western Australia, which produces spodumene concentrate, and also has a 100% interest in the Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project, which is a joint venture with Pilbara Minerals.

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) - Mineral Resources operates the Wodgina spodumene mine in Western Australia and also has a 40% interest in the Mt Marion lithium project, which is a joint venture with Neometals Ltd and Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd.

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and that there may be other mining companies involved in both spodumene and brine extraction. Additionally, the specific details of each company's operations and projects may vary, and it is always important to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.

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Alkane's Sal de Vida brine project in Argentina is located in the Salinas Grandes salt flats, which is a high-altitude desert region that experiences arid to semi-arid climate conditions. The region is characterized by low annual precipitation, high evaporation rates, and strong winds.

While adverse weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, snow, and extreme temperatures are not common in the region, the project is subject to periodic interruptions in brine extraction due to seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and evaporation rates. During the rainy season, which generally occurs between December and March, the inflow of water into the salt flat can dilute the brine and reduce its lithium concentration, making it less economical to extract. On the other hand, during the dry season, which typically occurs between April and November, the evaporation rates can be high, leading to an increase in the concentration of lithium in the brine.

To mitigate the impact of weather fluctuations, the Sal de Vida project includes a series of ponds and extraction wells designed to capture and process the brine, as well as a brine treatment plant that uses solar evaporation to concentrate the lithium-rich brine. Additionally, the project includes a comprehensive environmental monitoring program to track the impact of mining activities on the local ecosystem and water resources.