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Lithium

Lithium is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal that has become a critical commodity in the global transition to clean energy and electric mobility. It is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element, with unique electrochemical properties that make it essential for rechargeable battery technology. The metal is primarily extracted from two sources: hard-rock mineral deposits, particularly spodumene, and lithium-rich brine deposits found in salt flats and desert basins. Major producing regions include the lithium triangle of South America, encompassing Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, as well as Australia, which dominates hard-rock production, and China, which controls much of the refining capacity. Lithium's primary application is in lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles, consumer electronics and grid-scale energy storage systems, driving exponential demand growth as countries pursue decarbonisation targets. The metal also finds use in ceramics, glass manufacturing, lubricating greases, pharmaceuticals and metallurgy. Pricing is volatile and influenced by supply constraints, technological advances in extraction and processing, and the pace of electric vehicle adoption globally. Extraction methods are evolving, with direct lithium extraction technologies emerging as alternatives to traditional evaporation ponds, which are water-intensive and slow. Environmental and social concerns around water use, land rights and ecological impact in extraction zones have intensified scrutiny of the industry. Lithium's strategic importance has prompted governments to classify it as a critical mineral, spurring investment in domestic supply chains and processing infrastructure.

Lithium News


The proposed layout of the processing facility to be developed by Avalon at Thunder Bay
Finnvera may support €100m equipment, services contract for Avalon's Ontario lithium processing facility
Updated 3 hours ago By: Creamer Media Reporter

Toronto-listed Avalon Advanced Materials reports that Finnish export credit agency Finnvera has issued a nonbinding letter of interest in connection with the potential financing of equipment and... 


The Maricunga salt flat
Codelco sees lithium project in Chile's Maricunga salt flat feasible in eight more years
16th July 2026 By: Reuters

Chile's Codelco expects its lithium project in the Maricunga salt flat to become a reality in eight years, chairperson Bernardo Fontaine said on Wednesday. The Maricunga lithium project is managed... 


A generic image of lithium rocks
Lithium Africa seeks to strengthen governance with director nominations
14th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Mineral exploration company Lithium Africa has proposed the nomination of John Kanellitsas and Ernie Ortiz as directors, ahead of the company’s upcoming AGM to be held on August 21. The company has... 


Lithium ore
Brazil-focused Atlas Lithium expects first lithium oxide concentrate by end-2027
13th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Atlas Lithium Corporation is on track to produce its first commercial batch of lithium oxide concentrate in the fourth quarter of 2027. The company is developing its 100%-owned Neves... 


Rock Tech's Victory lithium project, in Ontario
Rock Tech Lithium receives provincial grant to verify pulp, paper byproduct in lithium processing
13th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Ontario's Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) has awarded Rock Tech Lithium with a $262 500 grant to evaluate and validate the use of locally-sourced crude tall oil as a potential flotation... 


Ore in truck
China expands strategic mineral toolkit with new investment firm
13th July 2026 By: Bloomberg

A new, Beijing-backed mining investment vehicle is aimed at bolstering China’s grip on overseas resources, as the country pushes back against US and European efforts to curb its dominance of the... 


Elevra lithium mine in Québec
Elevra expects higher realised prices from spodumene concentrate going forward
10th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX- and Nasdaq-listed Elevra Lithium has produced 54 479 t of spodumene concentrate from its North American Lithium (NAL) operations, in Québec, in the quarter ended June 30. The company realised... 


Four-column DLE at Prairie Lithium's site in Saskatchewan
Prairie Lithium takes delivery of four-column DLE unit on site in Saskatchewan
10th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Prairie Lithium has taken delivery of North America's largest commercial direct lithium extraction (DLE) unit comprising four columns at its Prairie project, in Saskatchewan, marking... 


Drill core from the Rhyolite Ridge project
Rhyolite Ridge lithium/boron project, US – update
10th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

ioneer has signed separate nonbinding memorandums of understanding with South Korea's Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation and Hyundai Engineering to help advance the project. 


Bandeira project site
Lithium Ionic issues RFQs for underground mine portals at Bandeira
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Lithium Ionic has issued requests for quotation (RFQ) for the construction of two underground mine portals at the Bandeira lithium project, in Brazil. The RFQs were issued to seven... 


Wolfsberg lithium project, in Austria
Greenland-focused Critical Minerals tasks adviser to evaluate non-core asset portfolio
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-listed Critical Minerals Corporation has announced a strategic process to unlock the inherent value of its non-core assets, retaining Clear Street as financial adviser to evaluate a range of... 


Peru President Keiko Fujimori
Peruvian miner American Lithium welcomes 'mining positive' Presidential election outcome
9th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed American Lithium has welcomed the official confirmation of Keiko Fujimori's Presidential election victory in Peru earlier this week, which marks a positive outlook for the country's... 


Lithium project in Chile
Chile's lithium export value nearly triples in H1 on rising prices, strong demand
9th July 2026 By: Reuters

Chile's lithium exports surged in value in the first half of the year, nearly tripling from a year earlier as stronger prices and solid global demand boosted sales, the government said on... 


Lithium brines
US Defence Agency seeks to buy up to $300m of lithium
8th July 2026 By: Bloomberg

The US Department of Defense is buying lithium for its strategic stockpiles as the nation ramps up efforts to reduce supply risks for critical minerals. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is... 


Rhyolite Ridge project
Australia's Ioneer signs MoUs with South Korean firms for lithium-boron project
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Australian lithium miner Ioneer said on Wednesday that it has signed separate non-binding memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with South Korea's Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development... 


Tyranna subsidiary sells Angola lithium project for $1.44m
Tyranna subsidiary sells Angola lithium project for $1.44m
7th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed Tyranna Resources’ 97%-owned subsidiary Angolan Minerals has executed a binding share purchase agreement with Sinomine Resource (Guangdong Hengqin) Supply Chain Co – a trade and... 


Lithium spodumene crystal
Italy's Eni buys minority stake in EnergyX's lithium project in Chile
7th July 2026 By: Reuters

Italian energy group Eni said on Monday it signed a deal to buy a 25% stake in Black Giant, a subsidiary of US startup EnergyX, which is developing a lithium project in Chile. Lithium is... 


Atacama salt flat
Chile's Novandino Litio seeks enviro approval for $3bn Atacama lithium project
6th July 2026 By: Reuters

Novandino Litio, the joint venture between Chilean lithium producer SQM and State-owned copper miner Codelco, filed for environmental approval on Friday for a $3-billion project aimed at extending... 


Falchani project area, in Peru
American Lithium strengthens board with US mine lifecycle expert
3rd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed American Lithium Corporation has appointed Amandip Singh as an independent member of its board, bringing to the position more than 15 years of experience in exploration, project... 


Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
30th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Record global electricity demand last year was met entirely by low-carbon sources, resulting in fossil fuels generation being substituted rather than supplemented, the Energy Institute’s... 


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pqt: 0.217s - ct: 0.268s - 275pq - 2rq
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