lithium

A Nature piece examines how the environmental and social impacts of lithium mining and extraction can be reduced as global demand for the metal keeps rising with battery production. Researchers discuss ways to lower the footprint of lithium used in electric vehicles and energy storage.

The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre has released the South America edition of its Transition Minerals Tracker 2026, monitoring companies extracting minerals used in renewable energy technologies across the region. The tracker documents human rights issues linked to lithium, copper and other transition minerals operations, covering labour practices, community impacts and environmental concerns in countries such as Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

Saltwater flooding in South Jersey has triggered fires in electric vehicles, as salt water can short-circuit lithium-ion batteries and ignite them, sometimes days after submersion. Local firefighters and officials are warning owners of flooded EVs to keep vehicles away from structures and to have them inspected. The incidents have renewed discussion about EV battery safety during coastal storms and flooding.