Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Element3 and the U.S. Department of Energy have opened a lithium-extraction facility in Midland, Texas, that recovers lithium from oil-and-gas produced water in the Permian Basin. It is not a conventional open-pit or underground mine. The operation uses direct lithium extraction (DLE), with a reported capacity of 3,000 tons of lithium per year. That capacity and the February 6, 2026, opening date come from the originating report and have not been independently confirmed on the official Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) pages reviewed.
What opened in Midland
The new facility is a domestic lithium-producing operation built around a waste stream from oil and gas wells. Produced water is the water that returns to the surface with hydrocarbons. In the Permian Basin, that water is commonly managed as a disposal problem, but it can also contain lithium and other potentially valuable minerals.
A SlashGear report dated October 15, 2026, identifies the Midland operation as the first new U.S. lithium-producing operation since Nevada’s Silver Peak Lithium Mine opened in the 1960s. That comparison refers to a new domestic producing operation; it does not mean every U.S. lithium project, research program or processing activity stopped during the intervening decades. ORNL separately confirms that Element3 has a new Midland facility using oil-and-gas wastewater.
Recommended Free Tools
Is it a mine or a wastewater plant?
It is best described as a wastewater-based lithium-extraction and processing facility, not a conventional hard-rock mine. No ore is excavated. Instead, the operation treats produced water, separates lithium from that fluid and prepares lithium compounds for battery-related supply chains.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Wide Device Compatibility】As an exclusive accessory for the Reveal series, this reveal lithium battery pack is specifically designed for Trail Cameras Ultra, X, X Pro, Pro 3.0, X Gen 2.0/3.0, XB, SK, and the entire Reveal Cellular Trail Camera series. It precisely matches device requirements, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for outdoor shooting
- 【High Capacity & Solar Endurance Support】Boasting a powerful 6000mAh capacity, this lithium battery pack meets the long-lasting power needs of outdoor monitoring. It is compatible with upgraded solar panels, enabling efficient solar energy storage to provide continuous and stable power for Reveal cameras. This realizes long-term sustainable operation without frequent battery replacement, and it works seamlessly with the reveal battery pack system
- 【Intelligent Power Management & Dual-Charging Flexibility】 Equipped with an LED power indicator for checking remaining charge without inserting into the camera, simplifying multi-battery management. It supports fast, flexible charging via both a Type-C port and a 12V DC port, compatible with solar panels and car adapters. LED lights display real-time charging status at a glance
- 【Extreme Weather Resistance & High-Quality Assurance】Crafted with high-performance Japanese battery cells, this reveal lithium battery pack delivers exceptional quality. It operates stably in extreme temperatures ranging from -4°F/-20°C to 113°F/45°C, ensuring outdoor devices like hunting cameras maintain continuous power supply and normal operation in all weather conditions—an ideal choice for outdoor use
- 【Cost-Effective & Sustainable Power Solution】 Utilizing a new 2025 rechargeable lithium battery design, it provides a high 6000mAh capacity for long-lasting power. This eliminates the frequent need to buy and replace AA batteries, offering an eco-friendly, durable, and significantly more economical power source for long-term outdoor use
| Characteristic | Midland Element3 operation | Conventional brine project | Hard-rock project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | Oil-and-gas produced water | Salar or other natural brine | Lithium-bearing ore |
| Primary extraction approach | Direct lithium extraction using licensed membrane and separation inventions | Often evaporation and chemical processing | Mining, crushing and refining |
| Water and waste context | Starts with an oilfield wastewater stream that otherwise may be injected underground | Water management depends on the brine reservoir and process design | Generates mine and processing residues |
| Reported products | Lithium chloride converted to lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide | Not stated for a like-for-like comparison | Not stated for a like-for-like comparison |
| Cost, recovery rate and lifecycle emissions | Not established in the cited material | Not established in the cited material | Not established in the cited material |
How lithium is extracted from oilfield water
The project uses direct lithium extraction rather than waiting for water to evaporate naturally or mining solid rock. ORNL says the technology licensed to Element3 consists of seven inventions spanning the DLE process, including membrane extraction and separation methods.
- Collect produced water. Water brought up during oil and gas production is separated from the hydrocarbon stream and directed to treatment.
- Characterize and condition the water. The U.S. Department of Energy says produced water can contain mineral salts, organic compounds, heavy metals, naturally occurring radioactive materials and other minerals. Treatment must account for that chemistry before selective extraction.
- Capture lithium selectively. The licensed membrane-based system separates lithium from the much larger volume of water and from competing dissolved substances.
- Recover a lithium solution. The originating report says the process removes lithium as lithium chloride.
- Convert it to battery-supply-chain chemicals. The same report says lithium chloride is converted into lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. Those product-conversion details are reported descriptions of the Midland process, not independently audited production data.
Produced water is often sent to deep underground injection wells. DOE’s produced-water program notes that, after it is properly characterized and treated, the stream can be reused and can provide critical minerals such as lithium. DLE therefore combines mineral recovery with management of a difficult industrial wastewater stream, although the available sources do not establish the facility’s water-reuse rate or environmental performance.
Rank #2
- 【Perfect Compatibility Reveal Battery Pack & LED Power Meter】This high-performance Reveal Battery Pack is perfectly compatible with Tactacam Reveal trail cameras (X Ultra 3.0 , X Gen 3.0, 2.0, X Pro 3.0, Pro, SK, XB, X). Featuring an LED battery meter, it provides a clear visual indication of remaining power. Flashing - charging and Light on -fully charged.
- 【High Capacity & Upgraded Solar Charging Support】With a powerful 6000mAh capacity, this rechargeable Reveal Battery Pack delivers long-lasting power for extended hunting trips or outdoor adventures. It’s compatible with Tactacam solar panels, allowing for continuous power supply and reducing the need for frequent recharging.
- 【Fast & Convenient Charging】Equipped with both a USB-C port and a 12V DC charging port, this battery pack offers flexible charging options. The included USB-C cable allows you to charge it with any standard USB charger, while the 12V port ensures compatibility with car chargers or solar panels. Fully charges in approximately 5 hours.
- 【Advanced Safety Protections】Built with an intelligent control chip and premium materials, this battery pack includes multiple safety features: over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage, over-current, over-heating, and short-circuit protection. These ensure safe operation and extend the battery’s lifespan, providing reliable power for your hunting, trail camera battery, trail camera, cell cameras.
- 【Superior Temperature Adaptability】Designed for outdoor use, this battery pack operates seamlessly in extreme temperatures, ranging from -20°F to 140°F (-68°C to 60°C). Whether you’re in freezing winters or scorching summers, it delivers consistent performance, making it the perfect companion for year-round hunting and outdoor activities.
Why the operation matters to U.S. supply
ORNL Corporate Fellow Parans Paranthaman said in 2024 that less than 2% of U.S. and Canadian lithium supply came from those countries, while demand for lithium batteries for electric cars continued to grow. ORNL also projected that the worldwide lithium-battery market could expand by a factor of five to ten over the following decade.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →ORNL Associate Laboratory Director Cynthia Jenks called development of domestic sources for both raw and refined lithium important to the U.S. economy and national security. A facility that produces a refined lithium chemical in the United States could, in principle, reduce the distance between feedstock and battery-material customers. The Midland opening alone does not establish that imports will fall: its actual output, expansion plans, offtake contracts and performance over time have not been published in the cited official material.
Rank #3
- Package Includes: 1* 2600mAh 11.1v- 12v rechargeable battery pack, 1*12V battery charger, 1* cable connector, 1* DC5521 extension cord. The maximum output current is 6A (MAX)
- Wide Compatibility: Compatible with most 12V devices. Great for RC car, robot toy, DIY, solar panel, LED strip, CCTV camera, wireless camera, Bluetooth device, walkie-talkies, digital camera, video recorder, CD player, portable DVD player, MP3 player, electronic piano, router, mini Bluetooth Amp, turn signal, car DVR, etc
- Built-in Safety Chip: This 11.1v- 12v battery rechargeable comes with a built-in safety board. It protects the battery from over-charge, over-discharge, over-voltage, over-current, over-heat and short-circuit. Each battery is made with premium batteries to ensure safety and reliability
- Long Lifespan: This 11.1v- 12v lithium battery pack uses lithium-ion battery, no memory effect. The 11.1v- 12 v battery pack can handle over 800 charge and discharge cycles. No need to replace it often, so it’s both convenient and cost-effective
- Customer Support: If you have any issues or questions about the product, feel free to contact with us. We’ll get back to you quickly and help you sort it out
Capacity, opening date and what is verified
| Item | What is reported | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Midland, Texas, in the Permian Basin | Confirmed by ORNL and the originating report |
| Opening date | February 6, 2026 | Reported by SlashGear; not independently confirmed on the official ORNL pages reviewed |
| Annual capacity | 3,000 tons of lithium per year | Reported figure; not independently verified in the official sources reviewed |
| Technology owner and licensee | ORNL inventions licensed to Element3 in 2024 | ORNL describes seven inventions covering the DLE process |
| Feedstock | Oil-and-gas produced water | Confirmed by ORNL and DOE descriptions |
“Capacity” is a design or stated production figure, not proof that the plant is already delivering 3,000 tons every year. Commercial output can depend on feedwater chemistry, operating uptime, permitting, downstream conversion and customer qualification.
Why a new operation took decades
The “since the ’60s” statement reflects the long gap between Silver Peak and this new type of domestic producing facility. Lithium development requires a viable resource, extraction technology, water and waste management, permits, capital and buyers for the resulting chemical products. Produced-water projects add another challenge: every oilfield has different water chemistry, and the stream may contain contaminants that require treatment before lithium separation.
Rank #4
- Energizer Double A Lithium batteries are the world's longest lasting AA batteries.
- These AA Energizer batteries power your most critical devices, great for smart home devices, outdoor surveillance systems, digital cameras, Blink outdoor cameras, and handheld games
- An Ultimate Lithium battery can hold power up to 25 years in storage for trustworthy backup energy, so you are always prepared
- Energizer lithium AA batteries are made with leak-proof construction to help protect devices (based on standard use)
- AA lithium batteries can perform in extreme temperatures from -40F to 140°F for year-round, indoor and outdoor use
The sources do not attribute the entire gap to one cause, and they do not show that no U.S. lithium-related activity occurred during that period. The defensible point is narrower: the reported Midland opening is being presented as the first new U.S. lithium-producing operation after Silver Peak.
Federal support behind produced-water research
DOE says approximately $27 million has been invested in produced-water management research and development since January 2021, including an $18 million funding opportunity. That work covers treatment, reuse and recovery of critical minerals, creating a technical base for projects such as Midland. Funding support does not guarantee commercial success, and the cited figures describe the broader R&D effort rather than the cost of constructing this facility.
Best Value
- Lithium Battery 12V Information: Type: 12V rechargeable lithium battery; Capacity: 10000mAh
- Battery Compatibility Range: This 12V battery pack is compatible with robot toys, remote-controlled batteries, DIY projects, LED light strips, solar panels, closed-circuit TV cameras, wireless cameras, walkie-talkies, digital cameras, video cameras, recorders, Bluetooth devices, CD players, players, portable DVDs, toy models, CCTV cameras, electronic pianos, routers, electric scooters, 12V turn signals, in-car DVRs, electronic pianos, routers, electric scooters, 12V turn signals
- 12V lithium battery with long lifespan: No memory effect, with over 800-900 charge/discharge cycles. No need to worry about frequent battery replacements, saving time and money.
- 12V battery with high capacity and genuine materials: Built-in protection board prevents overcharging, over-discharging, overvoltage, and short circuits, making it a safe 12V battery to use.
- Includes one 12V lithium battery*1, one 12V charger, one plug*1, one DC5521 12V cable*, one charging cable*1, and one 12V adapter plug.
Does Midland make the U.S. independent of imported lithium?
No—not by itself. The operation adds a domestic source and demonstrates a route that uses an existing wastewater stream, but one plant cannot replace global supply chains. The reported 3,000-ton annual capacity has not been independently verified, and no source reviewed establishes the facility’s share of U.S. demand, realized production or long-term expansion. Its strategic importance is as a new domestic production and processing step in a market where ORNL said U.S. and Canadian sources supplied less than 2% of lithium in 2024.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
