In a significant leap for the mining and energy sectors, scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have unveiled a revolutionary technology that could catapult Saudi Arabia to the forefront of global lithium production. This development, published in the esteemed journal Science, introduces a method for directly extracting lithium from oilfield brine and seawater—a game-changing advancement for an industry that has historically relied on costly and resource-intensive mining techniques.
Lithium is the lifeblood of modern technology, powering everything from electric vehicles to smartphones. However, the traditional extraction methods have often been economically unfeasible, particularly when dealing with low-concentration sources like brine. The KAUST method, however, flips the script. Tested on a pilot scale that is 100,000 times larger than typical laboratory experiments, this innovative approach has proven to be cost-competitive with conventional mining. It allows for lithium extraction from brine containing as little as 20 parts per million, all without the introduction of pollutants or additives.
Professor Zhiping Lai, co-chair of KAUST’s Center of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Storage Technologies, elaborated on the process, which employs a “redox electrode bridge” to harness osmotic energy. This not only reduces energy consumption but also opens the door to a more sustainable and efficient method of extraction. The implications of this breakthrough are staggering, with brine and seawater containing over 10,000 times more lithium than conventional reserves. If fully tapped, global lithium resources could skyrocket from the current 22 million tons to more than 230 billion tons.
As the world’s demand for lithium is projected to soar—from 750,000 tons in 2020 to over 5 million tons by 2030—Saudi Arabia stands to gain a significant strategic advantage. By securing domestic production, the Kingdom can bolster its energy resilience and solidify its position in the burgeoning clean energy market. “Local lithium extraction strengthens the resilience of the supply chain and enhances national energy security,” Lai emphasized, highlighting the broader implications for the Kingdom’s role in the clean energy transition.
The buzz around this innovation has already caught the attention of major industry players. KAUST’s startup Lihytech, co-founded by Lai and Professor Kuo-Wei (Andy) Huang, has successfully secured $6 million in initial funding from the Saudi mining giant Ma’aden and the KAUST Innovation Fund. In a pivotal partnership, Aramco is supplying brine from its oilfields to facilitate the testing and scaling of the lithium-extraction process. Huang expressed optimism about the future, stating, “Our goal is to establish a full-scale production and operation and generate significant lithium output within Saudi Arabia by 2028.”
This ambitious vision aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil. With the Kingdom eyeing lithium investments in countries like Chile and Brazil, it’s clear that the race for lithium supremacy is heating up. As the world pivots toward clean energy, this new technology could very well position Saudi Arabia as a linchpin in the global lithium supply chain, reshaping not just its own economic landscape but also the future of energy production worldwide. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now.
