Lithium Mining Threatens Soil and Water in India

Surface and placer mining, as well as lithium extraction, can profoundly disrupt soils and water systems. Studies note that surface mining may disturb up to 90% of soil structure, while placer operations increase sediment loads in riverbeds, and lithium extraction can alter groundwater balances and raise surface‑water salinity. In India, projected lithium projects could affect more than 2 million hectares of rural farmland, jeopardising water quality and agricultural productivity.

Sustainable practices such as improved reclamation, reduced‑impact extraction techniques, and satellite‑guided exploration can mitigate damage. Estimates suggest that modern, environmentally‑focused lithium mining could lower land degradation by up to 40% compared with conventional methods, helping to preserve soil fertility and water availability for farming communities.