Are the raw materials being mined for battery manufacturing harmful for the environment?

While no mining process can be deemed entirely environmentally friendly, whether it’s for resources like tin, copper, coal, or oil, it’s essential to understand the broader context. Humans have been engaged in mining and drilling activities for thousands of years, particularly in the recent past for oil, which has been extensively used for powering vehicles, producing plastics, and generating various non-recyclable by-products in the developed world.

The oil industry, in particular, has witnessed several significant environmental catastrophes due to mishaps at drilling sites or transportation errors, causing extensive harm to oceans and ecosystems.

In contrast, there have been no recorded incidents where lithium mining or its transportation led to the contamination of the world’s oceans.