Concerns about lithium extraction: A review and application for Portugal

被引:53
作者
Chaves, Cristina [1 ]
Pereira, Elma [1 ]
Ferreira, Paula [2 ]
Dias, Antonio Guerner [3 ]
机构
[1] Univ Porto, Fac Econ, Rua Dr Roberto Frias, P-4200464 Porto, Portugal
[2] Univ Minho, Algoritmi Res Ctr, P-4800058 Guimaraes, Portugal
[3] Univ Porto, Fac Sci, Rua Campo Alegre 687, P-4169007 Porto, Portugal
来源
EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES AND SOCIETY-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL | 2021年 / 8卷 / 03期
关键词
Lithium; Clean mobility; Brines and pegmatites; Environmental and health impacts; Portugal; LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT; ION BATTERIES; ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT; RESOURCES; AVAILABILITY; ENERGY; GREEN; LCA; TECHNOLOGIES; RECOVERY;
D O I
10.1016/j.exis.2021.100928
中图分类号
X [环境科学、安全科学];
学科分类号
08 ; 0830 ;
摘要
The trend towards "clean" mobility is growing steadily, causing an exponential increase in lithium demand. Lithium reserves are therefore an important asset for the countries owning them, opening up opportunities for valuable economic activity. However, lithium mining is not free from social, environmental and health impacts and its extraction is far from being a consensual topic on the regions involved. This paper reviewed the main impacts of lithium exploitation and addressed, in particular, the case of Portugal, ranked as the country with the most promising lithium reserves in Europe. The analysis was based on an application of life-cycle assessment for the case of the Barroso-Alvao region in Northern Portugal. Albeit recognizing the limitations of the study given the scarcity of information, it is possible to envisage the importance of local impacts from lithium extraction specially related to Abiotic Resource Depletion, Ecological Toxicity Potential and Occupational Health Hazards. The conclusion of the study was that it was necessary to properly acknowledge the cultural and social characteristics of the region and account for the local communities' needs and expectations, together with the potential social and economic impacts, for the definition of fair and acceptable policies and pathways for the future.
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页数:11
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