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Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its environmental impact:
1. Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 liters of water.
2. The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine.
3. Lithium mining from hard rock sources has a negligible carbon footprint.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 Only
  • b)
    1 and 2 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    1, 2 and 3
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its env...
- Statement 1: Correct. Extracting one ton of lithium demands about 500,000 liters of water, which can lead to significant depletion of water resources in arid areas, adversely affecting local communities and ecosystems.
- Statement 2: Correct. The Atacama salt flat in Chile is indeed sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine, which involves pumping salt-rich water to the surface and using evaporation ponds to recover lithium.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Lithium mining, particularly from hard rock sources, is energy-intensive and requires substantial electricity for processes like crushing, grinding, and chemical separation. This energy often derives from non-renewable sources, increasing carbon emissions and the overall carbon footprint of lithium production.
Thus, the correct statements are 1 and 2, making Option B the correct answer.
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Community Answer
Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its env...
Analysis of Statements on Lithium Mining
Lithium mining has garnered attention due to its environmental implications. Let's break down the three statements to understand their validity.
Statement 1: Water Usage
- Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 liters of water.
- This statement is correct. Lithium extraction, particularly from brine sources, is water-intensive. The process often leads to significant depletion of local water resources, which can affect surrounding ecosystems and communities.
Statement 2: Land Subsidence
- The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine.
- This statement is also correct. The over-extraction of lithium brine has led to land subsidence in this region, affecting both the environment and local agriculture. The salt flat is a critical habitat and its degradation poses ecological risks.
Statement 3: Carbon Footprint of Hard Rock Mining
- Lithium mining from hard rock sources has a negligible carbon footprint.
- This statement is incorrect. While hard rock mining might have a lower water footprint compared to brine extraction, it is not devoid of environmental impact. The processes involved in hard rock mining, such as blasting and transporting materials, contribute to significant carbon emissions.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the correct answer is b) 1 and 2 Only. Statements 1 and 2 accurately reflect the environmental challenges associated with lithium mining, while statement 3 misrepresents the carbon footprint of hard rock lithium extraction.
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Passage - 3With the advancement in the frontiers of science, there is an emerging demand for hi-tech minerals, which will have to be met. This will call for earth scientists anticipating demand and exploring and extracting these minerals with cost effective and environment friendly extraction technologies. Agencies of both ofthe central and state governments will have to play an important promotional role in the exploration of these minerals.The mineral surveys and exploration programmes to be carried out by the central and state agencies will also have to be targeted to take up concept oriented studies integrating geological, geo-physical and geochemical surveys appropriately linked up with laboratory studies involving state ofthe art technologies. Deeper probing of known deposits; intensive and extensive belt wise mineral exploration including covering areas out of the traditional mineral belts and even basement rocks will also have to be undertaken.Concerted action plans need to be drawn up by the concerned organisations to acquire higher capability in all fields of mineral exploration and development. This will call for technology upgradation for field data acquisition, state of the art laboratory back up and development of expertise. Focus areas will include air-borne surveys, ground geophysical surveys, exploratory drilling, marine survey, etc.Q. Consider the following statements:1. Earth scientists will come up with cost effective extraction technologies.2. Promotion of the extraction of hi-tech minerals is required. With reference to the passage, which of the following statements is/are valid?

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Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its environmental impact:1. Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 liters of water.2. The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine.3. Lithium mining from hard rock sources has a negligible carbon footprint.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 Onlyb)1 and 2 Onlyc)1 and 3 Onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its environmental impact:1. Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 liters of water.2. The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine.3. Lithium mining from hard rock sources has a negligible carbon footprint.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 Onlyb)1 and 2 Onlyc)1 and 3 Onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its environmental impact:1. Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 liters of water.2. The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine.3. Lithium mining from hard rock sources has a negligible carbon footprint.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 Onlyb)1 and 2 Onlyc)1 and 3 Onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements regarding lithium mining and its environmental impact:1. Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 liters of water.2. The Atacama salt flat in Chile is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm annually due to the extraction of lithium brine.3. Lithium mining from hard rock sources has a negligible carbon footprint.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 Onlyb)1 and 2 Onlyc)1 and 3 Onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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