Socio-Environmental Impacts of Lithium Mineral Extraction: Towards a Research Agenda
Open accessAbstract
The production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has increased in capacity by almost eight fold in the past ten years due to growing demand for consumer electronics and electric-drive vehicles. The social and environmental implications of increased lithium demand is significant not only in the context of policy initiatives that are incentivizing electric vehicle adoption, but also because electric vehicle adoption is part of the vision of sustainability transitions that are being put forth in a variety of contexts. Any evidence that suggests that the externalities of the technology uptake are not being addressed would directly counter the intent of such initiatives. For LIBs to be fully sustainable, it is imperative that impacts along life cycle stages be adequately addressed, including lithium mineral extraction. This study investigates how the scope and focus of research in this area are changing and what drives their evolution. Based on a bibliometric analysis, we evaluate the state of research on the issues of lithium mineral extraction, use, and their impacts. The article identifies research hotspots and emerging research agendas by mapping the evolution of research focus and themes. Our analysis finds that research on the socio-environmental impacts of lithium extraction at local level has been very limited. We discuss some research directions to address the knowledge gaps in terms of specific research topics, methodologies, and broader system perspectives.
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The sustainability of a product is negated if the production of raw materials is burdened by a range of significant environmental impacts, social and governance issues.
“But the sustainability of a product is negated if the production of raw materials is burdened by a range of significant environmental impacts, social and governance issues.”
From The impacts of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in achieving sustainable lithium supply in the Lithium Triangle (2022) · cites this paper as Agusdinata, Liu et al. 2018
The Introduction and Concluding remarks link the sustainability of lithium-battery technologies to the socio-environmental impacts of lithium extraction and call for those impacts to be addressed. They do not state that such impacts categorically negate a product’s sustainability, or extend that conclusion to products generally. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe downstream supply chain (e.g., batteries, automotive) is currently demanding development of sustainable batteries and sustainable decarbonisation technologies.
“The downstream supply chain (e.g. batteries, automotive) is currently demanding development of sustainable batteries and sustainable decarbonisation technologies.”
From The impacts of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in achieving sustainable lithium supply in the Lithium Triangle (2022) · cites this paper as Agusdinata, Liu et al. 2018
The Introduction (page not available) says growing demand for electric-drive vehicles is driving demand for lithium-ion batteries, which the paper describes as instrumental to low-carbon transportation. The timeline section (page not available) also reports automakers expanding their electric-vehicle offerings. It does not say the downstream supply chain is demanding the development of *sustainable batteries* or sustainable decarbonisation technologies specifically. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThere is a threat of Li2CO3 and sodium carbonate leaching into the environment and contaminating the soil, air, and freshwater supply of surrounding communities.
“There is a threat of Li2CO3 and sodium carbonate leaching into the environment and contaminating the soil, air, and freshwater supply of surrounding communities (Agusdinata et al., 2018).”
From A review of technologies for direct lithium extraction from low Li+ concentration aqueous solutions (2022) · cites this paper as Agusdinata et al., 2018
The Results section (page unavailable) says lithium may be released from evaporation ponds and affect nearby communities. It also says sodium carbonate is used in processing and that failed pond liners may release other chemicals and pollute water. It does not identify Li2CO3 or sodium carbonate as leaching contaminants, or specify contamination of soil, air, and freshwater by those compounds. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredLithium extraction from brines poses higher environmental and occupational health risks compared to other lithium sources.
“Moreover, lithium extraction from brines poses higher environmental and occupational health risks compared to other lithium sources [38].”
From Electrochemical Direct Lithium Extraction: A Review of Electrodialysis and Capacitive Deionization Technologies (2025) · cites this paper as [38]
The extensive exploitation of Li resources raises concerns about its environmental impacts.
“While the primary aim of using Li in electric vehicles is to improve the sustainability of transportation (Agrawal and Rajapatel 2020, Wang et al 2023), the extensive exploitation of Li resources, raises concerns about its environmental impacts (Agusdinata et al 2018, Banza Lubaba Nkulu et al 2018).”
From Environmental impacts of lithium supply chains from Australia to China (2024) · cites this paper as Agusdinata et al 2018
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References 62 · Cited by 284
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Egbue O 2012c Assessment of social impacts of lithium for electric vehicle batteries IIE Annu. Conf. Proc. 2012 1-7
- Romero H I, Smith P and Vasquez A 2009 Global changes and economic globalization in the andes. challenges for developing nations Alpine Space -Man & Environment 7: Global Change and Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions ed R Psenner et al (Innsbruck: Innsbruck University Press) pp 71-95
- Authors
- Agusdinata, D. B., Liu, W., Eakin, H., & Romero, H.
- Affiliations
- Arizona State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Agusdinata, Datu Buyung
- Venue
- Environmental Research Letters
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Published
- 2018-11-27
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 123001
- ISSN
- 1748-9326 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2897882439
- Cited by
- 284
- References
- 62
- Citations by year
- 2026: 31 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 66 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 6
- FWCI
- 10.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Environmental Research Letters (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Mining and Resource Management
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Mechanical Engineering › Extraction and Separation Processes
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Environmental Impact and Sustainability
- Keywords
- lithium recovery, lithium-ion batteries, socio-environmental impacts, electric vehicles, sustainability transitions, research agenda, research hotspots, local effects, life cycle assessment, knowledge gaps
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