77-10 Sustainability of groundwater aquifers amid direct lithium extraction in the Maricunga salt flat, Chile

Session: Groundwater and Sustainability: Integrating Science, Technology, and Policy

Presenting Author:

Authors:

Abstract:

The Maricunga Basin, located in northern Chile's Atacama Region, is emerging as a critical zone for lithium extraction, second in importance only to the Atacama Salt Flat. With three approved lithium mining projects and ongoing polymetallic mining operations, the region’s groundwater sustainability is increasingly under threat.

The basin experiences minimal natural recharge, primarily from Andean precipitation and glacial melt, both of which are declining due to climate change. This limited input, combined with intensifying demand for lithium and other minerals, presents a growing challenge in balancing resource extraction with environmental conservation.

Groundwater aquifers in Maricunga are essential for supporting local ecosystems and indigenous communities, yet current extraction rates are exceeding the natural recharge capacity. Mining operations targeting lithium, copper, and gold have accelerated the depletion of groundwater, while glacial retreat and altered precipitation patterns are contributing to prolonged droughts and diminishing freshwater availability.

If not adequately managed, lithium extraction—primarily through traditional high-water-use methods—could disrupt the hydrological balance of the salt flat, increase the risk of land subsidence, and elevate the potential for toxic metal contamination in surrounding environments.

To mitigate these risks, a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy is essential: (i) Groundwater Monitoring: Deploy real-time hydrological monitoring systems to track water levels and quality across the basin. (ii) Hydrological Assessments: Conduct baseline studies and ongoing impact assessments to understand aquifer responses to mining activity. (iii) Water-Efficient Technologies: Promote the adoption of low-water-use extraction methods, such as Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). (iv) Water Recycling and Reuse: Minimize freshwater consumption by treating and reusing water within mining operations. (v) Artificial Recharge: Explore the use of treated wastewater or excess surface water to replenish aquifers. (vi) Stakeholder Engagement Involve indigenous communities, regulators, and environmental organizations in collaborative water governance. (vii) Adaptive Management: Implement flexible, data-driven water policies that can adjust to environmental changes in real time.

Funding: FONDECYT Regular Project 1240279, Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID).

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10075

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