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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


Lithium Ionic CEO Blake Hylands
Lithium Ionic shareholder withdraws requisition for special meeting, approves board nominees
5th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Lithium Ionic Corporation' largest shareholder, Waratah Capital Advisors with a 9% stake, has withdrawn its requisition for a special meeting of shareholders to be held and says it... 


Critical minerals
Mining sector not as badly affected by Middle East conflict as first thought, but risks remain
4th August 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the release of its mid-year review, global energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie (WoodMac) has highlighted how contained the damage has been in the global mining and metals markets amid... 


Fulcrum reports maiden MRE for Nevada lithium project
Fulcrum reports maiden MRE for Nevada lithium project
4th August 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

ASX-listed Fulcrum Lithium has announced a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its wholly-owned Alkali Flats project, in Esmeralda County, in Nevada, in the US. The company says this is a... 


Lithium mining for green power triggers eco-outcry from South African farmers
4th August 2026 By: Reuters

Mining lithium for batteries is a growing part of South Africa's plan to use the global shift towards green energy to revive its economy, but now it faces a challenge from thousands of angry... 


The Manna lithium project site
Global Lithium obtains mining development proposal approval for its Manna project
4th August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

The Western Australia Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration has approved the Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) for diversified lithium exploration and development company... 


A map showing the land tenure held by Mandrake at the Utah lithium project
Mandrake secures further leases at its Utah lithium project
4th August 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

ASX-listed Mandrake Resources has secured three School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (Sitla) leases, totalling 1 320 acres, within the central zone of its 100%-owned Utah lithium... 


Lithium concentrate being loaded onto a truck
Zimbabwe half-year lithium exports up 230%
31st July 2026 By: Reuters

Zimbabwe exported lithium products worth $782-million in the first six months of 2026, up from $237-million during the same period last year, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said on Thursday. The... 


The Spence copper mine in Chile
South Korea, Chile sign five MOUs, deepen lithium and copper cooperation
31st July 2026 By: Reuters

South Korea and Chile signed five memorandums of understanding on Thursday, including a mineral resources partnership aimed at strengthening cooperation on lithium and copper supply chains, after a... 


Image of lithium ore
Green River lithium project, US
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Critical minerals company Anson Resources is developing the Paradox basin project as a direct lithium extraction brine project to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. 


Image of lithium ore on a conveyor belt
Rincon lithium project, Argentina – update
31st July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Argosy Minerals is progressing feasibility and engineering work towards completing a definitive feasibility study for the 12 000 t/y project. 


Rio Tinto safety hat
Rio Tinto posts highest H1 earnings in four years as data centre boom boosts copper
29th July 2026 By: Reuters

Global diversified miner Rio Tinto posted its highest half-year underlying earnings in four years on Wednesday as performance from its copper and aluminium units tied to energy demand outshone... 


Andrada Mining CEO Anthony Viljoen
Andrada reports sizable mineralised extension of Lithium Ridge project
28th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

Following the undertaking of its Lithium Ridge project sampling programme, in Namibia, Aim-listed Andrada Mining has reported that results have extended the surface mineralisation of the project by... 


Rock Tech signs binding spodumene offtake agreement for Georgia Lake project
Rock Tech signs binding spodumene offtake agreement for Georgia Lake project
28th July 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

TSX-V-listed Rock Tech Lithium has signed a binding long-term offtake agreement with Geneva-based global commodity trading house Transamine for spodumene concentrate produced at the company’s... 


Lithium sands
Argosy encouraged by feasibility, engineering progress at Argentinian lithium project
27th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

ASX-listed Argosy Minerals has engaged with international technology and engineering service providers, as well as lithium consultants, to complete the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its 12... 


Laguna Verde project area
CleanTech, Empower produce first lithium carbonate from Laguna Verde brines and pilot eluate
24th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Aim-listed CleanTech Lithium and technology partner Empower EIT have successfully produced high-purity lithium carbonate from eluate produced by CleanTech's direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot... 


Drill core from the Manono project
Manono lithium/tin project, Democratic Republic of Congo – update
24th July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Reports have indicated that Zijin has started exporting lithium concentrate from Manono. 


A SHIFT TOWARDS BENEFICIATION 
Local content and beneficiation requirements are becoming one of the most visible expressions of resource nationalism across East Africa
Central, East African mining faces evolving risks - firm
24th July 2026 By: Keabetswe Shilakwe

The mining industry in Central and East Africa is bracing for an evolving operating environment driven by a complex interplay of security threats, resource nationalism and shifting global supply... 


STANDING FIRM
SRK Consulting has participated directly in DRC’s transition from State-led to internationally financed mining development, from its Lubumbashi practice established 16 years ago and from its other consulting practices worldwide
DRC buoyed by growing mining-related investments 
24th July 2026

As the global race for critical minerals intensifies, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is seeing the benefit of growing investments from leading economies such as China and the US, reported... 


Forrestania's Edna May gold mine
Zenith advises of shareholder activity ahead of Forrestania takeover offer acceptance deadline
23rd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

As the deadline looms for ASX-listed Zenith Minerals shareholders to accept an off-market takeover bid by fellow-listed Forrestania Resources by July 30, Zenith has advised of its shareholder Ida... 


Empower EIT Dallas Operations & Innovation Centre
Lithium producer Empower EIT commissions new Dallas Operations & Innovation Centre
22nd July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Vertically integrated lithium technology company Empower EIT has commissioned its new 17 000 square foot Dallas Operations & Innovation Centre, in the US, as the company works towards first... 


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