Critical raw material lithium: Contents and potentials in the mine waters of the decommissioned anthracite mine Ibbenbüren

Lithium is one of the critical raw materials. With the introduction and increasing use of electric vehicles (cars, bicycles and scooters), a further increase in the demand for lithium can be expected. In the mine waters of the decommissioned mine Ibbenbüren of the former RAG Anthrazit Ibbenbüren GmbH increased lithium levels of up to 22 mg/l were analysed. The concentrations increase with depth. However, the flooding concept does not provide for the targeted version of more lithium-containing water from deeper mines. After flooding, the water flowing from the mines will mainly consist of leachate or groundwater formation. Therefore, in these waters it is not expected that high lithium levels can be expected. However, the outflows of the flooded western field have 0.6 mg/l lithium levels, which correspond to the three-fold mean concentrations of seawater. However, economic gain is currently not possible.