Costa Rica's 'urban mine' for planet-friendlier lithium
SAN JOSE, March 18 — Costa Rica, a country where open pit mining is banned, has become a leader in the extraction of heavy metals such as lithium — not from the Earth, but old batteries.
The Fortech recycling factory which opened nearly three decades ago in Cartago about 27 kilometers from the capital San Jose, is referred to by its staff as an “urban mine.”
For the last six years, it has focused on extracting lithium contained in rechargeable batteries used in everything from mobile phones and laptops to electric cars and solar panels.
Millions of batteries are discarded every year.
While the battery casings take about 100 years to decompose, the often toxic heavy metals inside never do.
For Fortech, this presents a proverbial gold mine, and for our planet, perhaps a lifeboat.
More:
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2023/03/18/costa-ricas-urban-mine-for-planet-friendlier-lithium/60408