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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


Rio Tinto's Rincon lithium operation, in Argentina
Rio Tinto sees lithium as fastest-growing division, executive says
Updated 5 hours ago By: Reuters

Rio Tinto expects its lithium business to grow faster than its copper, iron-ore and other divisions as it works to triple production by 2028 for the electric vehicle and battery storage markets, an... 


An image of Arkle Resources chairperson John Teeling
Arkle describes its foray into Namibian uranium as an important development
23rd June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Arkle Resources last year continued its strategy as a gold, zinc and lithium explorer, working in Ireland and Botswana, but highlights in a preliminary results statement for the year... 


Las Pilas rare earths project area, in British Columbia
Lithium Corporation expands rare earths land tenure in British Columbia as optionee explores
23rd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US-based lithium and rare earths exploration company Lithium Corporation has secured a land position covering about 13 000 acres, or 5 400 ha, that is prospective for rare earths mineralisation at... 


Ioneer's Rhyolite Ridge project
Australia's Ioneer ties up with two South Korean firms for Nevada lithium project
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Australian lithium miner Ioneer said on Tuesday it has tied up with Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development and Hyundai Engineering to support the development of its Rhyolite Ridge... 


Critical minerals ore
Orion CMC in advanced discussions for three Asian partnerships
23rd June 2026 By: Reuters

Orion Critical Mineral Consortium (Orion CMC), a minerals investment group backed by the US government, is in advanced discussions to establish three new public-private partnerships in Asia as it... 


Lithium Africa appoints new CEO
Lithium Africa appoints new CEO
22nd June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-V-listed Lithium Africa has appointed Dr Thomas Benson CEO, effective July 1. Benson joined the company’s board of directors in April and will continue to serve as a director. He currently... 


Rare earths drill core
EU courts Brazil as strategic partner in global race for critical minerals
22nd June 2026 By: Reuters

The EU is turning to Brazil as a strategic partner in its push to diversify its critical mineral supplies, offering a deal that it says will be beneficial to Brazil's development goals, EU... 


Kazera, Hebei reach settlement in Namibia tantalum arbitration matter
22nd June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Aim-listed Kazera Global has executed a definitive settlement agreement with Hebei Xinjian Construction in respect of a previously announced arbitration award concerning African Tantalum (Aftan),... 


Victory lithium project
Rock Tech expands Ontario lithium asset portfolio with Victory project
22nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Rock Tech Lithium has entered into an option agreement with Bounty Gold Corporation and Last Resort Resources to acquire a 100% interest in the Victory project, in Ontario. Rock Tech... 


A lithium processing plant in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe lithium miners ask for more time to build processing plants
19th June 2026 By: Reuters

Lithium miners in Zimbabwe have asked the government for more time to build processing facilities, ahead of a January 2027 ban on concentrate exports, an industry executive said on Thursday.... 


Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes lithium project in Argentina
Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina seek a third investor for lithium project
19th June 2026 By: Reuters

Chinese miner Ganfeng Lithium and its Swiss partner Lithium Argentina are seeking a third investor for the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes lithium project in northern Argentina, the president of Lithium... 


Periodic table symbol for lithium
Clearwater lithium project, Canada – update
19th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

E3 Lithium has successfully commissioned Phase 2 of the demonstration facility. 


The above image depicts professional services firm Deloitte Chile energy resources and industrials leader Patrick Hall
Chile’s copper to play major role in decarbonisation
19th June 2026 By: Lynne Davies

As Chile targets net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, its continued production of copper and lithium are key elements of the country’s energy transition, with copper regarded as a longer-term... 


Race to execute is key to S America success
19th June 2026

South America is increasingly becoming one of the most strategically important mining regions for the future stability of global copper and lithium supply. Chile, Peru and Argentina sit at the... 


The above image depicts a water treatment facility at a copper mine in Chile
Minerals frame S America development tools
19th June 2026

As critical minerals become increasingly central to global industrial strategy, a growing divergence is emerging between how major economies and leading South American mineral-producing nations are... 


The above image depicts a lithium mine in South America
Water determines S American project viability
19th June 2026

With the mining sector in Latin America entering a “different phase” of environmental, social, governance (ESG) scrutiny, law firm Dentons reports that across the lithium and copper corridors of... 


Lithium mineralisation at the Shaakichiuwaanaan – lithium only project
Shaakichiuwaanaan – lithium-only project, Canada – update
19th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

PMET Resources, following the completion of a concept study, has identified a potentially viable pathway for producing a value-added lithium chemical. 


Askari expands Namibian project pipeline
18th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

ASX-listed Askari Metals’ in-house hyperspectral study has identified seven new high-priority pegmatite targets at the Uis project, in Namibia, materially expanding the project’s target pipeline... 


Redstone Resources' new prospects in Western Australia
Redstone acquires gold, lithium, base metal prospects in Western Australia
18th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Redstone Resources has entered into an exclusive agreement to acquire 100% interest in a suite of highly prospective gold, lithium, copper and other base metal exploration projects in... 


Uranium mineralisation
Uranium explorer Foremost granted funding from Saskatchewan's TMEI programme
18th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US- and Canada-listed Foremost Clean Energy has received a $50 000 grant from the government of Saskatchewan's Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive Programme for uranium exploration in the... 


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