Top Lithium Producing Countries With The Largest Reserves

Due to the rise in the development of electric vehicles, lithium production has seen a global boom. Between 2016 and 2020, lithium output increased from 40,000 tonnes to 86,300 tonnes. Roughly 86% of the lithium produced worldwide is mined in Australia, Chile, and China. In our article, we look at the top lithium-producing countries in the world.

What is lithium?

Is lithium a metal? Swedish researcher Johan August Arfwedson found lithium in the mineral petalite in 1817. It belongs to the periodic table's alkali metal group and group 1(Ia). It appears soft, white, and shiny and is the lightest of the solid elements. The atomic mass is 6.941, and the atomic number is 3. Lithium has a melting point of 180.5 °C (356.9 °F) and a boiling temperature of 1,342 °C (2,448 °F).

In what country was lithium firstly discovered?

The Brazilian Jozé Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva made the first lithium discovery on the Swedish island of Utö in the 1790s. As mentioned before, mineralogist Johan Arfwedson, in Stockholm, Sweden, examined (LiAlSi4O10) in 1817 and concluded it contained lithium, a then-unknown metal. He found the petalite contained "silica, alumina and an alkali." Lithium is not found free in nature and makes up only 0.0007% of the earth's crust. 

How many electrons does lithium have?. Well, it has only 3 electrons in total with 3 protons.

What is lithium used for?

There are several applications for lithium, including its widespread use in electronic products like laptops and smartphones as well as rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs).

Aluminum and magnesium are strengthened and made lighter by using lithium metal in alloys. High-speed trains, bicycle frames, and aircraft all use aluminum-lithium alloys.

Lithium chloride is employed in industrial drying systems and air conditioning systems (as is lithium bromide). It is utilized in medications to treat manic depression, although its action on the brain is not fully understood. Hydrogen is stored in lithium hydride to be used as a fuel.

Is lithium sustainable?

Like most metals, mining lithium is unfriendly to the environment. On the other hand, the companies that extract metal might overgo environmentally friendly projects. Mainly, lithium is used in the batteries of EVs, wind turbines, and electronic (smart) grids, all of which reduce world CO2 emissions.

Unfortunately, lithium is a finite resource that requires an energy-intensive mining procedure, just like other naturally occurring minerals. When it comes to reducing harmful emissions, the conventional extraction method itself may diminish the potential climatic benefits. Any raw material extraction is expensive, energy-intensive, and ultimately damaging to the environment.

How is lithium made?

Lithium carbonate, often known as Li2CO3, is the primary commercial form and is created from ores or brines using various techniques. Lithium chloride, the substance used to generate lithium metal via electrolysis, is produced by adding hydrochloric acid (HCl).

As per lithium definition, the metal is created by electrolyzing a fused mixture of lithium and potassium chlorides. The mixture's lower melting point (400–420 °C, or 750–790 °F) compared to pure lithium chloride (610 °C, or 1,130 °F) allows the electrolysis to operate at lower temperatures.

Why is lithium mining important?

The enormously increasing demand for electronics products and electric cars that use lithium-ion batteries makes lithium mining crucial. The world needs a lot more metal as it wants to quit using fossil fuels soon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Demand for lithium is anticipated to rise to about 1.3 million metric tons of LCE (lithium carbonate equivalent) by 2025. That is five times the level of today.

According to experts, Li-ion batteries will continue to expand at a compound annual rate of about 30%. EVs may account for 4,000 to 4,500 gigawatt-hours of Li-ion demand by 2030, along with energy storage devices, e-bikes, electrification of tools, and other battery-intensive applications.

Alt. 

How do the mining methods differ?

Lithium is typically found in mineral ore, underground water pockets, or underground clay deposits. There are two techniques for the extraction of this light metal:

1. Constructing a mine, removing the ore or clay, and then separating the metal through a complex process.

2. Raising water deposits below the surface by pumping them. The resulting pools of briny liquid are allowed to dry up, and lithium is removed from the remaining dried salts.

In nature, lithium does not exist as a free element. Pure lithium metal is created by electrolyzing a mixture of fused (molten) lithium chloride and potassium chloride.

Is lithium mining environmentally friendly? 

Although many products use lithium sources, which are highly beneficial to the environment, the mining process presents concerns. And other reasons, including the following, account for this.

• Water sources are polluted

• Emissions of carbon dioxide rise

In order to remove obstacles, lithium miners clear the places they have chosen for mining of all other living things, including trees.

• Excessive water usage

Water is essential for the extraction of lithium. To extract one ton of lithium, miners use 500,000 gallons of water.

• Reduces the fertile land

The fertile land areas become barren due to excessive lithium mining. 

How much lithium is on earth?

Where is lithium found? According to various estimates, there are approximately 14 million tons of lithium reserves worldwide, and between 0.5 and 1.3 million tons of lithium are required to achieve present goals. The industry record for lithium extraction in 2021 was 100,000 metric tons.

The amount of lithium in the earth's crust ranges from 0.002-0.006 weight percent. It is extensively dispersed in trace amounts in rocks, soils, surface, ground, and sea waters and is the 33rd most abundant element in nature.

Lithium-ion batteries: pros and cons

Lithium-Ion batteries are extensively used in various innovations nowadays. Their implementation has significantly increased since the start of the technology era and rechargeable products. In the 21st century, they find purpose in almost every industry, such as the tech and car industries. Lithium-Ion batteries have the following pros and cons:

Pros: 

Lithium-Ion batteries have the following advantages:

• Lithium-Ion batteries don't need maintenance. We don't need to water Lithium-Ion batteries, unlike available batteries such as Lead-Acid batteries, which need watering and maintenance. This decreases the maintenance charges.

• Lithium-Ion batteries come with fast charging option.

• They are long-lasting. We don't need to charge them for each use.

• The lifetime is twice that of their market competitors, such as Lead-Acid batteries.

• They are lighter in weight, making them ideal for portable electronic devices.

• Finally, lithium-ion batteries are not subject to the "memory effect," meaning they can be recharged after being only partially depleted without reducing their lifespan.

Cons:

Using Lithium-Ion batteries has the following cons:

• The cost of Lithium-Ion batteries is almost three times that of their counterparts, making them the most expensive batteries on the market.

• Aging is another essential con of Lithium-Ion batteries. They last only 2-3 years after manufacturing.

• Developers recommend keeping it at a low temperature of around 15C as they are sensitive to extreme temperatures.

• Lithium-Ion batteries are volatile and explosive.

Lithium advantages and power

Lithium is one of the lightest and least dense solid elements on earth. That's why it was used as an anode after the advent of technology in the 20th century. As it is an element with high electrochemical potential, it is used as a part of Lithium-Ion batteries. Lithium is highly reactive and quickly loses its outermost electron, allowing current to flow easily. 

As lithium is the lightest metal, its batteries are used in small objects like phones, laptops, etc. Lithium used in batteries boosts the efficiency of the battery. Lithium batteries can give power up to 3.6 Volts. This power is almost 3X more than that of ordinary batteries such as Ni-Cd.

Lithium disadvantages and possible risks

There are many disadvantages and possible risks of using lithium in batteries. The setup can have safety hazards as they contain electrolytes that are inflammable. If batteries are improperly charged, they can explode and cause a fire. These products are 40% more costly than regular batteries available on the market. 

Lithium-Ion batteries are not entirely stable as the chemicals used can change continuously. They require a circuit for protection and to maintain voltage. Lithium is a fragile element, and batteries made with it need a proper management system; otherwise, it can result in over-charging and heating, resulting in combustion.

Fracking vs. lithium mining: what's more dangerous for ecology?

Lithium mining is more dangerous to ecology than Fracking due to following reasons:

• Freshwater salination is used in mining Lithium, which local people use to survive. For example, in South America, this process is extensively used in Lithium mining, resulting in water bodies pollution. This extraction of lithium causes poisoning of the ecosystem and related health issues.

• Carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases are emitted as a result of lithium extraction. More carbon dioxide and other gases result in environmental issues such as a change in weather patterns and less crop production.

• Lithium extraction demands large patches of land. Miners have clear forest areas and natural habitats. Moreover, agricultural lands are used for lithium extraction.

• Lithium production creates many chemical materials such as sulphuric acid and uranium by-products. These waste materials pose a threat to the local population and natural habitat.

• Lithium mining is a surface extraction process. The chemicals produced as a result of it cause health hazards to ordinary people, and then they are disposed of in the environment causing damage to our ecosystem.

On the other hand, Fracking is done kilometers inside the ground, posing fewer environmental and health issues.

What country has the most lithium?

Where does lithium come from? Lithium does not exist alone in the environment because it is highly reactive. It exists worldwide as water-soluble salts, mostly in oceans and seas. So, the most significant reservoirs are in the sea beds. Bolivia has 21 Million tonnes of Lithium reservoirs, making it the largest pool in the world. This is closely followed by Argentina and Chile with 17 and 9 million tonnes respectively.

Top lithium-producing countries with the largest reserves in the globe

Few countries are extracting a massive amount of lithium in the world. Following are the ultimate lithium-producing countries:

• Australia has 217 kilotons of production as of 2021.

• Chile extracts 26000 metric tonnes of lithium production by country.

• China is at number 3 with 14000 metric tonnes of production.

• Argentina is number four with 6,200 metric tonnes of mining.

• Brazil ranks at number 6 in lithium extraction with 1500 metric tonnes.

Where is lithium mined?.  The largest deposits are located in:

• Bolivia tops the list with 21 Million tonnes of lithium in the country.

• Argentina has 19.3 Million tonnes of lithium.

• Chile is at number three with 9 Million tonnes.

• The United States has around 6.8 million tonnes of lithium.

• Australia is at number 5 with 6.3 Million tonnes.

• China contains 4.5 Million tonnes of lithium.

Top lithium-producing countries with the largest reserves in the globe

A number of countries produce lithium, but only a few are major manufacturers. Australia is the leading producer of lithium, followed by Chile, China, and Argentina. Although these four countries make up the lion's share of global production, there are also smaller producers in Bolivia, Brazil, and Zimbabwe.

Australia 

Chile

China

Argentina

Zimbabwe

Portugal

Brazil

United States

Australia 

Australia is one of the world's largest producers of lithium and hosts some of the largest lithium mining companies. In 2021, they produced 217 kilotons of lithium. This was an increase from the 42-kilo tons they made in 2019. 

The country has an estimated 30%+ of the world's lithium reserves and produces nearly half of the world's lithium. Most of the lithium mined in Australia is used in the production of batteries. 

Chile

Chile's lithium reserves are mainly concentrated in the Salar de Atacama, a large salt flat located in the country's north. Chile's climate and geology are ideal for lithium production, and the country has been able to ramp up its output in recent years rapidly. 

In addition to supplying the global market, Chile's lithium production has also helped power the country's growing fleet of electric vehicles. It has a total of 818 charging stations as of now. With demand for lithium expected to grow, Chile is well-positioned to maintain its position as a leading producer of this essential commodity.

China

The total lithium reserves of China are estimated to be 4.5 million tonnes. The industry reports suggest that China has a major share in the world battery sector as it controls 77% of cell production. Some experts believe that China's lithium market dominance may lead to higher prices in the future. However, others comment that other countries will begin to produce more lithium as demand increases. The next 5-10 years will tell how China's production will affect the global market.

Argentina

Interestingly, Argentina has the second largest reserve of lithium in the world. According to the United States Geological Survey, the South American country has an estimated 19.3 million metric tons of lithium reserves. That being said, most of Argentina's lithium is still in the ground, and only a small fraction of it is being mined at this time. 

The country has been mining lithium for almost a century, and its reserves are estimated to be large enough to meet global demand for the next few centuries. In addition to being an important source of lithium, Argentina is also home to some of the world's largest deposits of uranium and copper. As a result, the country is an essential player in the global minerals market.

Zimbabwe

As of 2022, Zimbabwe is the world's fifth largest lithium producer. The country has two major lithium-producing regions: the greenstone belt in the north-western and the pegmatite belt in the eastern part.

In addition to being a major lithium producer, Zimbabwe is also home to one of the world's largest lithium-rich clay deposits. This clay is used in the production of ceramics and glass and is also being used in battery technology.

Portugal

Portugal is not a major lithium producer but has some metal reserves. The country is now one of the largest lithium producers in the European Union, matching Spain and France. 

Most of Portugal's lithium is found in the north-eastern part of the country, in an area known as the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The Iberian Pyrite Belt is a geological formation that spans parts of Portugal, Spain, and Morocco. It contains significant reserves of iron, copper, and gold, as well as smaller amounts of lithium. 

Portugal has been mining minerals from the Iberian Pyrite Belt for centuries, and it is thought that there are still substantial deposits of lithium that have yet to be extracted. In recent years, Portugal has been working to develop its mining industry to tap into these untapped resources. 

Brazil

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Brazil is the world's 4th largest lithium producer. The country has an estimated 470000 metric tons of lithium reserves. 

Most of Brazil's lithium production comes from the Minas Gerais. Smaller mines are scattered throughout the country, particularly in the north-eastern state of Bahia. Brazil is also home to several processing plants that convert lithium concentrate into battery-grade material.

United States

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the United States produced just 1,600 metric tons of lithium in 2018, compared to Australia's 42,000 metric tons and Chile's 18,000 metric tons. The vast majority of lithium is extracted from hard rock deposits.

Most U.S. lithium is mined in Nevada and California, with smaller operations in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Nevada is home to the only producing lithium mine in the U.S., and California produces lithium through brine extraction. U.S. production has increased significantly in recent years due to a growing demand for electric vehicles. Tesla's Gigafactory 1 in Nevada is the largest lithium-ion battery factory in the world. it is estimated that electric car sales will account for nearly half of all U.S. vehicle sales by 2030.

What's the future of lithium production?

Lithium is a crucial ingredient in batteries, and with the rise of electric vehicles, the demand for the metal will only increase. Despite this, many experts predict that we will see a lithium shortage within the next few years. This is because lithium is a tough element to mine and process, and the difference between supply and demand. It often occurs in remote locations, and the extraction process is energy- and water-intensive. 

As a result, it can be difficult to ramp up production quickly enough to meet rising demand. Some companies are trying to find ways to reuse lithium from old batteries, but it remains to be seen whether this will be enough to meet future demand. 

In any case, the future of lithium production will be crucial to the future of electric vehicles. Without a reliable source of lithium, the electric car revolution may stall before it gets started.

Top lithium-producing countries summary

Despite its abundance, lithium is still a relatively rare element, and its extraction can be costly and environmentally damaging. As demand for lithium continues to grow, it is important to consider the environmental and social impacts of mining before expanding operations. The production and the cost may increase in the future resulting in an increased cost of electronics.