Oxford researchers say it is possible to extract copper, gold, zinc, silver and lithium from brines trapped in porous rocks at depths of 2 kilometres below dormant volcanoes.

The amount of ore transported is equivalent to the weight of 35,000 major soccer stadiums like the famous Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro.

The new methods involve retrieving parts of the battery so they can be reused, which can drastically cut costs and carbon emissions.

The US largest automaker is investing “multi millions” in a lithium project poised to become the country's largest by 2024.

The Chilean miner and China Copper, Jiangxi Copper, Tongling Nonferrous and Jinchuan Group are said to have reached early deals.