Alberta to become a new source of lithium?

[Keith boyd + 178]

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/smith-alberta-oil-industry-may-be-key-to-solving-lithium-shortage

Well! Isn't this interesting. Seems that it doesnt matter what way the energy sector goes alberta is a win win either way!

 

[Jan van Eck + 7,558]

That is a very interesting machinery set-up!   What does puzzle me is the requirement to grind everything up into a fine sand consistency.  My hunch is that the system needs the surface area to work with. My guess is that the grinding would start with what is known as a "tub grinder," a gigantic machine with a huge motor that you can toss entire trees into, those machines are big, then the shredded stuff would have to go to a secondary stone grinder or mill to get down to fine particle size.  Then the fun begins!

Good to see the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well in Alberta!  Do keep us posted, Don Allen (the inventor) sounds like quite the remarkable fellow!

[footeab@yahoo.com + 2,190]

17 hours ago, Keith boyd said:

https://calgaryherald.com/opinion/columnists/smith-alberta-oil-industry-may-be-key-to-solving-lithium-shortage

Well! Isn't this interesting. Seems that it doesnt matter what way the energy sector goes alberta is a win win either way!

 

Well, not really.  The same process is already being done in the Texas oilfields.  Yes, the lithium produced is quaint, but is a pittance to requirements. 

PS: The Calgary Herald is WAAAAYYYYY out of date.  Cobalt $$$/kg has plummeted through the floor as TESLA et al. have figured out how to produce their batteries with very little Cobalt and is now trading at exact same price as before Lithium Nickel Cobalt batteries became all the rage.  Nickel has LIKEWISE taken a nose dive as the percentage of nickel used in the new batteries has likewise taken a nose dive, but is still required in large quantities and is slightly rising. 

EDIT: The good thing about Nickel, Cobalt, Aluminum, recycle at very high rates.  So, once out of the ground is fairly easy to recycle.  For instance the USA uses 50% recycled Cobalt/Nickel/Aluminum/Iron and the ratio of Aluminum, nickel, and cobalt is increasing as their rates of recycling are around 80% if not higher as the amount comes out of the ground. 

Edited July 13, 2019 by Wastral