Potential of Lithium Economic Resources in Geothermal Manifestations Based on Geochemical Data (Case Study of Dieng WKP, Central Java Province)

Abstract

Lithium is one of the elements used as raw material for batteries in electric cars. In this case, lithium is very useful for production, considering that the presence of lithium in geothermal fields and the extraction process also minimizes the risk of air pollution. Based on PSDMBP research in 2019, it is known that lithium from geothermal wells in Dieng reached 99 mg/L. The Dieng geothermal field has the highest lithium content in Indonesia. This is because the geothermal system is water-dominated. During the process of producing geothermal fluid into electrical energy at PLTP, the lithium increases due to air circulation which tends to be closed in the Dieng geothermal system. The method used in this research is a remote sensing method in the form of a map of the distribution of manifestation locations which can show the potential presence of the element lithium based on geochemical and geothermometer data from several locations of the Dieng project area these data which is then processed statistically to determine the potential of the lithium element from geothermal fluid types. Based on the results of geochemical data from several spring points at the Dieng Project Area hot spring, the accumulated lithium levels from 9 samples were obtained at 1.11 mg/L. It can be seen that there is potential for lithium resources that have economic value. This is directly proportional to research conducted by PSDMBP that there is potential for lithium in this area. From this, the potential economic resource for lithium obtained at 9 samples is IDR. 14,947,732, with an air formation flow rate of 70.00 kg/hour and a market selling price of US$ 17,000/ton. This makes the lithium element in this location a potential resource with economic value and can maximize added value apart from electrical energy produced by geothermal energy.