WorldWide Drilling Resource

39 FEBRUARY 2022 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Baby, You Can Drive My (Li-ion Battery) Car Compiled by the Editorial Staff of WorldWide Drilling Resource® Earlier this year, Brazil Minerals Inc. reported receiving exploration permits for two additional mineral claims on part of its lithium project located in the northeast part of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, effectively expanding its lithium project. Areli Nogueira, vice president of exploration stated, “Lithium is in high demand worldwide and Brazilian lithium reserves are now recognized as some of the best in yield and purity upon processing. Our lithium project holds high potential, and we look forward to its continued development.” Brazil Minerals Inc. now owns 100% of the Rubelita lithium project. Because lithium is the lightest of metals with high reactivity and great electrochemical potential, it is an attractive element for use in battery manufacture, glass and ceramics production, and applications in the aeronautics industry. Lithium does not occur as a pure element in nature but is found in minerals (pegmatites), salts (evaporites), clay deposits (hectorites), and seawater. Today, lithium may be processed in one of two ways, either from pegmatite hard rock or from brines, accumulations of saline groundwater enriched in dissolved lithium. Brines are more wide spread, typically larger in resource scale, and generally have lower production costs. Due to its use in a variety of applications, such as lubricant grease, glass and ceramics production, health products, and rechargeable batteries, lithium continues to increase in demand, with batteries possibly the most recognized use. Using our current technology, lithium provides the best combination of energy density (weight to power ratio) and price. Approximately 46% of the lithium mined worldwide finds its use in lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries, with an output around 3.6 volts, more than twice as much as an alkaline battery. These are used in cell phones, cameras, tablets, notebooks, and even cars. Stimulated by the growth of world production of electric, hybrid, and hybrid plug-in vehicles, lithium production for use in Li-ion batteries is forecast to increase. Emphasizing the importance of Li-ion batteries, Elon Musk commented, “It is definitely true that the fundamental enabling technology for electric cars is lithium-ion as a cell chemistry technology. In the absence of that, I don’t think it’s possible to make an electric car that is competitive with a gasoline car.” Indeed, lithium seems to be a star of the future, especially for electric cars. T-shaped Li-ion battery. MIN

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