I'd hope not. Grounded Lithium plans on using a process called Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) which has potential to offer an ESG-friendly source of lithium. DLE technology may allow for lithium extraction without the need for large-scale mining (per typical hard-rock operations) nor large evaporation ponds (per typical brine operations). This can translate to a lower environmental footprint (typically <5% of the land use required for Li projects that produce similar volumes), less ground disturbance (as the Li-void brine can be reinjected back to where it came from, which may also reduce or eliminate the need for large tailings ponds), potentially less fresh water and energy usage, and overall, fewer carbon emissions (especially if the company is aiming to direct-ship its final Li-chemical directly to end-users rather than shipping to an intermediary, as is the case with most hard-rock Li mines, which ship a Li-concentrate to China for downstream processing).

The recent lithium developments in Canada, particularly the Kindersley Lithium Project in Saskatchewan, are expected to have a major impact on Tesla's supply chain, as the company relies heavily on lithium for its electric vehicle batteries. The Canadian lithium deposits are becoming increasingly attractive to not only Tesla but also other major automakers like Volkswagen and General Motors, who are looking to secure their own lithium and battery supplies. These developments could accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in North America and highlight the potential for sustainable transportation in the future.