Challenges in Sustainable Use of Lithium for Highly Innovative Final Products Created and Made in Serbia with EU Environmental Standards

Abstract

Energy systems of the future should enable transition to clean energy and reduction of CO2 emission. Various options are under consideration and research. One direction of development are photovoltaic, and rechargeable batteries used to store the electricity needed for vehicles and stationary systems (1,2). At the current technological level and market attractiveness among rechargeable batteries significant group are those based on lithium. EU production of raw materials for all batteries is about 1%. Growing demand for lithium are expected in 2050 to be 10-50 times higher than 2018. A lithium deficit in the market is expected (3,4). The companies are searching new locations for lithium mining and production facilities in order to compensate for the deficit.The mineral named Jadarit found in Serbia, contains lithium, sodium, boron and silica. Estimated reserves of Jadarit are of low significance for World production of lithium, but may be significant at EU level and for Serbian economy. Certain companies are interested to enter the production chain from Jadarit. These companies present the possibility for future industrial battery development in Serbia, which may lead innovative final products. They claim optimistic 3-15% increase of GDP (5). Public debate provided argumented shortcomings of currently proposed technology for lithium extraction from Jadarit (6). Major concerns are regarding permanent devastation of lush ecosystem, fertile soil, drinking water, air pollution. These non-monetary assets and their contribution to GDP should be monetized as sine qua non for objective cost-benefit analysis. Therefore, instead of polarization, public debate that identifies key critical points in technology of lithium extraction and its effects on human health and environment provides basis for future research that will develop new technologies capable to protect environment.