Compared to the processes of extracting lithium from mineral deposits, the process of extracting lithium from evaporation ponds requires more water, less money, and more time.
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More water: Evaporation ponds rely on large quantities of water to dissolve lithium salts, which is then evaporated to concentrate and extract the lithium.
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Less money: The operational costs of evaporation ponds can be lower than hard rock mining methods because the infrastructure and equipment are typically less complex and expensive.
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More time: The evaporation process can take several months to years to concentrate the lithium salts sufficiently for extraction, making it a slower process compared to some mineral extraction methods.