FACT SHEET: Mineral Extraction from Brines

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(Editors at Energy Analytics Institute, 16.Jan.2025) — Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) is a method of producing lithium from lithium-rich saltwater typically from deep underground reservoirs which cannot be used for drinking or agriculture purposes.

In the process, lithium is separated from other brine constituents, like sodium, calcium and magnesium, by bringing the brine into contact with a medium designed to selectively attract the lithium, according to Noway’s Equinor.

DLE is a technology that extracts lithium from brines located deep underground and reinjects the brine without lithium back into the subsurface through a second injector well.

DLE technologies produce a high purity lithium concentrate which can be converted into battery grade lithium chemicals using conventional processing technologies

And, integrated DLE processes typically consist of 5 main steps: pre-treatment, DLE, concentration, purification and crystallisation.

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By Editors at Energy Analytics Institute with details from Equinor. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.

ENERGY ANALYTICS INSTITUTE (EAI) https://energy-analytics-institute.org

Energy Analytics Institute (EAI), formerly LatinPetroleum.com, is a Houston-established private organization with a satellite presence in Calgary, Mexico City and Venezuela where it operates under Editores LatinPetroleum SA. Since 1999, EAI has been a leader in energy news coverage of Latin America in particular. Coverage, run out of Latin America, now spans the world and encompasses nearly all energy and energy-related sectors.

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