Ernest ScheyderThe War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives

great read

I found this to be a very informative book, although it is not as technically oriented as much as I would have liked. Maybe that is a virtue for it. The author, Ernest Scheyder, is a journalist, not a metallurgist or a scientist. Essentially, Scheyder argues that the U.S. is in a huge economic quandary:* American climate change technology requires much more use of electrically powered vehicles and other items of equipment in order to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, the batteries and computer systems required for those things use large amounts copper, lithium, and rare earths. Cellphones and many other products such as television screens, computer monitors, and so forth also require those rare earth elements.* Currently, China produces approximately 80% of the world’s lithium, rare earths, and lithium batteries. The U.S. desires to become less dependent on China for these items.* That means producing such raw materials in the US, which requires extensive mining. Mining, in turn, is environmentally damaging. Historically, the U.S. has avoided such environmental unpleasantries by importing its raw materials from Third World countries. In effect, the US solved its environmental problems by exporting them to other countries. These Third World countries are now resisting such policies.So: to summarize, we want less carbon emissions, more domestic materials sources, and a pristine environment. Pick any two.Each chapter in the book discusses an example of some copper, lithium, or rare earths mining project proposed in some location in the US and the environmental or society objections to it. It has so far proven impossible to square the circle of an independent material source and simultaneously not be damaging to the environment.In telling these vignettes, the author presents much statistical and economic information on the issues.

This was an excellent crash course on the geopolitical and environmental complexity of mining minerals critical for the green energy transition. Thanks to Scheyeder's compelling writing, I could relate to individuals from multiple perspectives. I recommended this to many people, particularly given the resurgence of domestic lithium mining.

It is an interesting overview of some of the lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper projects. I wish there had been more detail in some areas. The author points out how much diesel would be used over a mine’s life but doesn’t mention the net CO2 emissions change if the mine’s output went into EV batteries. Plus, electric haul trucks are being tested.There’s discussion on using sulfuric acid to leach metals like that is some sort of existential threat. Sulfuric acid is used daily in a myriad of processes with no issue. It’s like he’s trying to scare people. There was one process he got totally wrong - it might have been gold. Thacker Pass is going to bring sulfur in to produce sulfuric acid. This is mentioned as a scary thing. Elemental sulfur is relatively benign. They need power and sulfuric acid at Thacker Pass, so why not burn sulfur to generate both?He gives plenty of space to people who are against mining of any sort but doesn’t delve into what happens if we do nothing.I also was peeved every time the terms ‘white metal’, ‘red metal’, and ‘green metal’ were used. Just say lithium, copper, and cobalt for hell’s sake!Thacker Pass is proceeding - as of today. Rhyolite Ridge is still on hold. Orocobre was acquired by Livent to become Arcadium Lithium - for 6 months. Arcadium has been acquired by Rio Tinto. Jadar is still going nowhere. Bolivia’s lithium has not been the boon they hoped for. Smackover is being evaluated. They are doing feasibility studies. The Energy Source project hasn’t really gone anywhere. They’ve done loads of testing but haven’t started construction on the plant. CRT-Hell’s Kitchen seems to be a pipe dream. There is a lot of opposition to it and the ES project.

First, this is good, easy reading; well written with something new and interesting found at every turn of the journalist author's gaze. He surveys the current metals mining and processing scene by taking snapshots of various mine and processing project "battles" and talking to various major parties. Next, it is balanced and does not take sides. But for those taking a side, the foibles of the other are there to be found, be they investors, miners, land owners, Indigenous peoples, environmentalists, politicians, and so on. It is hard to find winners here, and perhaps that is the point. To better understand all sides and to find compromises so that we can "power our lives". As a bit of disclosure, I have been involved in a couple of the projects discussed and I found the treatment of them fair, while also learning things about them, from different perspectives, that I did not know.