Overview
Lithium is a very light metal most of the time used in batteries for phones, laptops, and especially electric vehicles. As the world invests in energy storage and electrification, demand for lithium has surged.
Since lithium is closely linked to the environmental conservation, lithium has become a very important metal for our new green world.
Deposits
Major lithium resources and production hubs include:
- South America - “Lithium Triangle” of Chile, Argentina, Bolivia
- Australia - hard-rock mines in Western Australia
- China - various brine and hard-rock deposits
- United States - Nevada and other emerging projects
- Europe - smaller projects in Portugal and other countries
- New projects - Africa and other regions exploring new deposits
Geopolitics
Lithium is at the center of competition over battery factories and electric vehicle industries. Countries with large lithium reserves want to capture more value by processing and manufacturing locally, not just exporting raw material.
At the same time, states without lithium deposits worry about depending on a small number of suppliers. Trade policy, investment controls, and long-term contracts all shape who will dominate the battery supply chain.
