Lithium extraction assessment from brines in Kerman province: challenges and opportunities for clean energy transition and climate change mitigation

The global transition toward clean and sustainable energy systems has elevated lithium to a position of critical importance due to its exceptional electrochemical properties, low density, and lightweight characteristics. Lithium’s role in enabling the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and portable electronics, coupled with the urgency of addressing climate change, underscores the need for efficient and sustainable resource exploration. This study focuses on assessing the potential for lithium extraction from brine sources in Kerman Province, Iran, with particular emphasis on the Shahrebabak region. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on well-established lithium resources globally, this research explores an under investigated region in Iran, providing a new understanding of its lithium-bearing potential and associated challenges. By integrating advanced remote sensing techniques with field-based geochemical analyses, this study pioneers a comprehensive methodology that has not been applied to Iran's brine sources before. To identify lithium-rich zones, advanced remote sensing methods, including Landsat ۸ and Sentinel-۲ imagery, were employed alongside geochemical analysis conducted via Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fifteen brine samples were collected at depths ranging from ۰.۵ to ۲ meters, with lithium concentrations measured between ۹۴ and ۱۰۵ ppm. The Mg/Li ratios in these samples varied between ۱.۲ and ۳.۸, indicating potential challenges in achieving cost-effective extraction. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) analysis highlighted promising lithium-bearing zones, which were further validated through field sampling. The geochemical analysis of brine revealed that magnesium, potassium, sodium, and calcium are the dominant elements in the region, with lithium and boron present in trace amounts. Despite the presence of lithium, its relatively low concentration and high Mg/Li ratios suggest that the economic feasibility of large-scale lithium extraction in Shahrebabak remains limited. However, the study confirms the potential for lithium occurrence in Iran’s brine resources and highlights the need for further research into alternative extraction methods and the evaluation of other regions with more favorable geochemical conditions. This study contributes to the global discourse on clean energy and climate change mitigation by providing a foundational framework for lithium resource exploration in Iran. It aligns with the sustainable development goals by promoting environmentally compatible resource utilization, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering economic growth through the development of strategic clean energy resources. Further multidisciplinary research efforts are essential to fully realize Iran’s lithium potential and support the global transition to a greener energy future.

کلیدواژه ها:

Lithium ، critical elements ، clean energy ، climate change ، lithium extraction