A Faster, Greener Way to Pull Lithium From the Ground

Pilot DLE projects in Bolivia and Argentina highlight early progress toward faster, lower-impact lithium supply as sustainability reshapes competitiveness

9 Jan 2026

A quiet but important change is taking shape in South America’s lithium heartland. As demand for electric vehicles keeps climbing, producers across the Lithium Triangle are rethinking how lithium is pulled from the ground. New pilot projects hint at a future that could be faster, cleaner, and less disruptive.

In Bolivia, EnergyX has begun testing its LiTAS direct lithium extraction technology in the vast Salar de Uyuni. Working with state partners, the pilot stands out as one of the country’s most advanced real world trials of an alternative to traditional evaporation ponds. It is still early, but the project has drawn close attention from regional peers and policymakers.

The appeal is clear. Conventional evaporation relies on sprawling ponds that can take months to concentrate lithium, tying up land and water along the way. Direct lithium extraction uses a different approach. Lithium is selectively captured from brine, while the remaining fluid is reinjected underground. Supporters say this can shrink the surface footprint and ease pressure on scarce water resources, a sensitive issue in some of the driest parts of the Andes.

Market forces are adding urgency. Automakers and battery makers want cleaner, more transparent supply chains. Governments are tightening environmental rules. In response, producers are investing in technologies that promise growth without repeating old mistakes.

Argentina offers another glimpse of what might come next. Eramet began commissioning its DLE-based lithium plant in 2024, with production expected to ramp up through 2025 and 2026. Elsewhere, mining heavyweights like Rio Tinto are studying how direct extraction could fit into future projects.

Beyond environmental gains, the technology could change supply dynamics. Faster extraction may shorten development timelines and reduce exposure to price swings. For Bolivia, it also revives long held hopes of turning vast resources into steady exports, though commercial proof is still pending.

Challenges remain. Systems must perform reliably at scale and reassure regulators that underground water systems are protected. Even so, momentum is building.

Sustainability is no longer a side issue in lithium development. It is becoming a competitive necessity, and direct lithium extraction could help shape the industry’s next chapter.