Atacama Salt Flat Sinking Due to Lithium Extraction

A new study reveals that Chile's Atacama salt flat is subsiding at a rate of 1 to 2 centimeters per year due to lithium brine extraction, raising concerns over the environmental impact of lithium mining.

Lithium brine extraction involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and into evaporation ponds, a process that has caused significant subsidence in the Atacama salt flat.
The southwest part of the salt flat, where lithium miners are most active, is experiencing the most pronounced sinking, with an affected area of approximately 8 km by 5 km.
The subsidence is attributed to the extraction of lithium-rich brine at a faster rate than the natural recharge of aquifers, leading to the downward vertical movement of the Earth’s surface.
Lithium, dubbed "white gold," is crucial for the production of rechargeable batteries used in electronic devices and electric vehicles, making it a key resource in combating climate change.
Despite its importance, lithium mining has severe environmental repercussions, including water scarcity, soil and water contamination from chemicals like sulfuric acid, and the endangerment of local ecosystems.
A 2022 study linked lithium mining to a decline in the flamingo population in the Atacama Desert, as reduced water levels have led to fewer flamingos reproducing in the region.