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Lithium

Lithium — The White Gold of the Energy Transition Lithium is the lightest metal on the periodic table atomic number 3 and has become one of the most strategically important elements of the 21st century. Its electrochemical properties make it irreplaceable in rechargeable batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. Deposit Types Lithium occurs in three principal deposit types: 1. Hard-rock pegmatite deposits Lithium is extracted from the mineral spodumene LiAlSi₂O₆ , which occurs in lithium-caesium-tantalum LCT pegmatites. Australia's Greenbushes mine in Western Australia is the world's largest hard-rock lithium mine and has been operating since 1983. Hard-rock mining produces a spodumene concentrate that is then processed into lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide. 2. Brine deposits Lithium-rich brines are found in salt flats salars in the "Lithium Triangle" of South America — Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. The Salar de Atacama in Chile contains the highest-grade lithium brines in the world. Brine extraction involves pumping subsurface brine into evaporation ponds, where solar energy concentrates the lithium over 12–18 months. 3. Clay deposits sedimentary Lithium-bearing clays hectorite and jadarite represent an emerging source. The Thacker Pass project in Nevada, USA, targets lithium-rich clays and is expected to be one of the largest lithium sources in North America. Global Reserves and Production | Country | Reserves tonnes Li | 2023 Production | |---------|---------------------|-----------------| | Chile | 9.3 million | 44,000 t | | Australia | 6.2 million | 86,000 t | | Argentina | 3.6 million | 9,600 t | | Canada | 2.9 million | Emerging | Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024 Australia leads in mine production from hard-rock sources, while Chile leads in brine production. Canada has significant pegmatite deposits in Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba, with projects like Patriot Battery Metals' Shaakichiuwaanaan deposit in Quebec representing world-class discoveries. Processing and Battery Chemistry Raw lithium must be converted into battery-grade lithium carbonate Li₂CO₃ or lithium hydroxide LiOH·H₂O before it can be used in cathode manufacturing. Lithium hydroxide is increasingly preferred for high-nickel cathodes NMC 811 and NCA used in long-range EVs.