Lepidolite (potassium-lithium-aluminium-fluorine-phyllosilicate) from Brazil. Courtesy of the Laboratory for Material Culture Studies, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University.
Product made with lithium: lithium-ion battery from mobile phone.
Lithium is used above all for lithium-ion batteries. They are vital for the global energy transition, as they are rechargeable and recyclable. Other types of battery, such as alkaline batteries, do not have these properties, and therefore often go to landfill after use. Lithium mining is however associated with environmental harm and poor working conditions, and threatens the habitat of indigenous communities. This means we need to find sustainable and ethical alternatives for the production and reuse of batteries.
Lepidolite
