10 World’s Biggest Lithium Producers- According to data from the International Organizing Committee for the World Mining Congresses and the Federal Ministry Republic of Austria, there are ten world’s biggest lithium producers in 2019. In The report entitled ” World Mining Data 2021″, some of the producers of lithium are still being dominated by Australia, China, Argentina, and Chile.
Lithium is one of the most prospective raw mining materials. In the future, the demand for lithium is going to increase. Many automotive and electric industries need these materials in a large amount. These materials can be used as materials for making batteries in electric cars, photovoltaic, smartphones, and other electric devices. Along with the development of green economics and the urgency of eco-friendly technology, namely, cars, motorcycles, and some electric devices, the demand still has bright prospects. The demand for electric cars can be doubled from time to time because of the awareness of using eco-friendly technology. Tesla, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Hyundai, and other automotive company needs lithium to make the electric batteries from their electric cars.
As one of the prospective raw materials in the future, some countries start to explore their availability of lithium reserves. It is the manner to supply their industries raw materials. Statistically, there are 10World’s Biggest Lithium Producers in 2019. This data was obtained from International Organizing Committee for the World Mining Congresses and the Federal Ministry Republic of Austria on their report entitled “World Mining Data 2021”.
The Rank of 10 World’s Biggest Lithium Producers
| Rank | Countries | Productions of Lithium in 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| (metric Tons) | ||
| 1 | Australia | 103,000 |
| 2 | Chile | 47,770 |
| 3 | China | 16,600 |
| 4 | Argentina | 13,670 |
| 5 | Zimbabwe | 2,650 |
| 6 | Brazil | 2,390 |
| 7 | United States of America | 1,400 |
| 8 | Canada | 1,200 |
| 9 | Portugal | 710 |
| 10 | Bolivia | 160 |
| Source : Federal Ministry Republic of Austria,, 2021 | ||
Brief Description of 10 World’s Biggest Lithium Producers
1. Australia
Australia become the biggest lithium producer in 2019. Based on the report entitled “World Data Mining 2021”, the production of lithium from Australia reached 103,000 metric tons. Geographically, there are some areas that have the biggest deposits of lithium. Some of the main area deposits are in Western Australia. Specifically, the sites are Greenbushes Mine, Mount Cattlin, Early Grey, Mount Marion, and Bald Hill. These areas are potential with the biggest deposits of lithium.
2. Chile
Chile is the second biggest lithium producer in 2019. Statistically, the production of Lithium from this South American Country reaches 47,770 metric tons. Geographically, in Chile, The Salar de Atacama become the biggest area of mining lithium.
3. China
China is the third biggest lithium producer in 2019. Statistically, the production of lithium from this panda country reaches 16,600 metric tons. In China, the mining of lithium takes place in Lake Zabuye, Tibet, and started between 2004 or 2005.
4. Argentina
Argentina becomes the fourth biggest lithium producer in 2019. The production of Argentina’s lithium reaches 13,670 metric tons. Geographically, in Argentina, there are some areas of lithium mining. These are Salar del Hombre Muerto, province of Catamarca and Salar de Olaroz, in Jujuy province. The mining production from these areas is sold to some automotive companies, namely Toyota, BMW, and others.
5. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe become the fifth-biggest lithium producer in 2019 and make Zimbabwe the biggest of lithium producers from the African region. Statistically, the production of Zimbabwe’s lithium reaches 2,650 metric tons. In this country, there are some are with huge lithium deposits. These areas are Bikita, Goromonzi, and Kamativi.
6. Brazil
Brazil is the sixth biggest producer of lithium. Statistically, the production of samba country reached 2,390 metric tons in 2019. The Jequitinhonha valley, District of Araçuai-Itinga (northern Minas Gerais State), and Borborema region are some of the mining areas of lithium in Brazil.
7. United States of America
The United States of America becomes the next biggest producer. In 2019, the production from the stars and stripes country reached 1,400 metric tons. Their industries of automotive (General Motors, Ford Motors, Tesla, and the others) and some technology companies (google, apple, Microsoft, dell computers, HP, and others), and some industries need a large amount of lithium to support of the battery making. Geographically, Humboldt County, Nevada is one of the biggest areas of lithium mining and Tesla, the pioneer of an electric vehicle, has a factory, Gigafactory, in Nevada.
8. Canada
Canada is the eighth biggest country of lithium producer. Statistically, the production of lithium from Canada reached 1,200 metric tons. Geographically, Whabouchi Lithium Project, James Bay, Quebec is one of the biggest lithium mining areas in Canada
9. Portugal
Portugal become the ninth biggest country of lithium producer. In 2019, the production of lithium from this country reaches 710 metric tons. In this country, there are several places of lithium mining. these areas are the northern districts of Vila Real and Gerês, and the central district of Beira.
10. Bolivia
Bolivia is the 10th biggest country of lithium producers. Statistically, the production of Lithium from Bolivia reaches 160 metric tons. In this country, Salar de Uyuni in Potosí and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia is the place that has deposits of lithium dan some mining activities can take place in this area.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Lithium Producers
Champion, D., 2019. Australian Resource Reviews: Lithium 2018. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. http://dx.doi.org/10.11636/9781925848281.
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS). 2021. Lithium Mining in Salar de Atacama, Chile. Accessed via https://www.usgs.gov/media/before-after/lithium-mining-salar-de-atacama-chile on January 14th, 2022.
Steven, L.M. 2019. Zimbabwe’s Lithium mine is attracting global attention. Accessed via https://africanminingmarket.com/zimbabwes-lithium-mine-is-attracting-global-attention/4906/ on January 14th, 2022.
MiningTechnology. 2019. Top ten biggest lithium mines in the world. Accessed via https://www.mining-technology.com/features/top-ten-biggest-lithium-mines/ on January 14th, 2022.
Balch, O. 2019. Communities fail to buy into Portugal’s lithium dreams. Accessed via https://www.reutersevents.com/sustainability/communities-fail-buy-portugals-lithium-dreams#:~:text=While%20no%20permits%20for%20large,the%20central%20district%20of%20Beira on January 14th, 2022.
International Organizing Committee for the World Mining Congresses. 2021. World Mining Data 2021. Accessed via https://www.world-mining-data.info/?World_Mining_Data___PDF-Files on January 14th, 2022.
