There is a material that works better than hydrogen and without electricity. However, it cannot be perfect because it has a hidden side. they call it white gold. The entire world is looking for ways to reduce CO2 emissions in an effort to halt global warming, which has been blamed for causing disasters such as the biggest crisis of the 21st century.
In this context, a new renewable energy industry has emerged in which several inventions appear that seek to replace polluting fuels. Most of this comes from electrical solutions and the replacement of coal, oil and gas with solar energy and other sources.
However, the so-called ‘green’ revolution comes at a cost that, generally speaking, falls on communities far removed from countries that enjoy the benefits of the advancement of renewable energy sources.
What about white gold?
Environmentalists’ efforts to reduce the carbon footprint are collapsing due to strong demand for lithium, so-called lithium white gold. Mining is an industry with a significant environmental impact and often takes place in remote areas inhabited by indigenous peoples or other traditional peoples.
Although the energy sought is renewable, the minerals themselves are not. For this reason, some specialists warn that the rise of renewable energy sources does not change things much, but simply turns one form of unsustainable production into another.
The industry is trying to compensate for the situation by betting on more recycling, the reuse of minerals and technologies that rely on materials that are easier to obtain and have a lower impact on the environment. However, their efforts come to nothing due to the demand for minerals such as lithium, which are considered “critical” in light of the energy transition currently being pursued.
White gold leads to discussion: to what extent is it worth mining?
Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico j PeruThese are, for example, countries whose governments are trying to benefit from minerals that have not yet been extracted in the region through traditional methods. They have to compete in an industry dominated by USA j Chinawho compete to obtain strategic minerals, and Russiawhose conflict with Ukraine has interrupted the power supply Europe.
The problem looms for local communities, many of them indigenous, who fear their land will be damaged, their water reserves depleted and their mountains, sacred in their culture, destroyed.
Experts in the field admit that there are serious challenges ahead that will require wise governance, both in rich and less resourced countries. There is still a long way to go to even things out, if that is a possible scenario.
White gold is not always the same
Martin Obayaeconomist Conicet, National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentinaand lithium specialist, had an interview with France 24 in which he talked about lithium.
“With the technology we have today, certain types of deposits are not economically viable. But as new technologies are developed and prices remain relatively high, new sources of lithium supply are likely to emerge,” he said.
“There is often talk about the need for our countries to stop exporting raw materials. However, in the case of lithium, we must distinguish between the extraction of lithium from rocks and the extraction of lithium by evaporation in salt flats,” explains the professional. “Australia exports raw materials. Argentina j Chili “They are exporting a refined product: lithium carbonate.”
In conclusion: the white gold leads to a controversial debate that will take a long time to resolve. Meanwhile, it is still used and reaches projects such as lithium batteries (ITE).