According to data from GlobalData, the high growth in demand for lithium batteries will triple the lithium production of lithium mines in the next four years, and the new lithium metal capacity will increase by 86,000 tons.
Currently, Australia's highest production is 183,000 tons, followed by Chile and Argentina, with 141,000 tons and 55,000 tons respectively. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), three spodumene operations and two in Australia in 2017. Salt water operations in Argentina and Chile account for the majority of the world's lithium production.
The world's largest producer is the SQM market leader, accounting for 25% of global production - followed by Talison, accounting for 24%, Albemarle accounting for 17%, and FMC accounting for 9%.
In the next four years, Australia will account for the largest share of additional capacity, accounting for 37%, opening mines in Pilgangoora, Wodgina, Bald Hill and Mt Holland.
Followed by Argentina, accounting for 29%, Canada accounting for 16%, Chile accounting for 9%, the United States accounting for 6%, and Mexico accounting for 4%.
According to the US Geological Survey, due to continuous exploration, the global lithium resources have increased significantly, totaling more than 53 million tons. The US lithium resources identified from continental brine, geothermal brine, hectorite, oil brine and pegmatite have been Revised to 6.8 million tons.
The lithium resources identified by other countries have been revised to approximately 47 million tons.
Argentina has a lithium resource of 9.8 million tons; Bolivia, 9 million tons; Chile, 8.4 million tons; China, 7 million tons; Australia, 5 million tons; Canada, 1.9 million tons; Congo (Kinshasa), Russia and Serbia , 1 million tons each; Czech Republic, 840,000 tons; Zimbabwe, 500,000 tons; Spain, 400,000 tons; Mali, 200,000 tons; Brazil and Mexico, each 180,000 tons; Portugal 100,000 tons; and Austria, 50,000 tons.
