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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


Manna project area
Global Lithium Resources' Manna mine value, returns bolstered by integration of newly bought Nova plant
Updated 4 hours ago By: Marleny Arnoldi

Australia's next lithium producer Global Lithium Resources has greatly improved the economics of its Manna lithium project, in Western Australia, having undertaken a Manna-Nova operation... 


E3's Clearwater field pilot plant
E3 Lithium signs MoU to supply lithium carbonate to India's Epsilon CAM
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

Canada-based E3 Lithium said on Monday it signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with battery materials maker Epsilon for the potential supply of battery-grade lithium carbonate... 


Lithium ore
OECD, IEA say traceability is imperative for secure critical mineral supply chains
11th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A joint report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and International Energy Agency (IEA) says high levels of supply chain concentration and rising trade restrictions... 


PAK project area
Frontier Lithium to update feasibility study on Canadian project
11th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Frontier Lithium has tasked DRA Americas to undertake an updated feasibility study on the PAK lithium project, in Ontario. The updated study will incorporate work having been... 


drilling site
State exploration programme targets critical minerals
11th September 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

South Africa’s government geological agency the Council for Geoscience (CGS) has introduced a high-resolution mapping programme to identify areas with potential to host critical minerals, with the... 


Chile President Jose Antonio Kast
Chile proposes market reform to boost junior mining exploration
10th September 2026 By: Reuters

Chile has introduced a capital markets reform aimed at boosting early-stage mining exploration and attracting foreign capital to the world's top copper producer and second-largest lithium supplier,... 


Albemarle lithium mining in Chile
Albemarle Chile workers to vote on deal to avert lithium strike
9th September 2026 By: Bloomberg

Top lithium supplier Albemarle Corporation reached a preliminary wage agreement with union leaders in Chile on the final day of mediated talks before a strike was due to begin, the union said. The... 


Finniss operation
Core Lithium restarts spodumene concentrate production at Finniss after two-year hiatus
8th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Core Lithium has produced first spodumene concentrate from the recommissioned Finniss processing plant, marking a key milestone in the company's staged restart of the Northern... 


Grota do Cirilo mine
Sigma confirms its Brazilian operation not suspended, no legal communication received
8th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Nasdaq-, ASX- and TSX-V-listed Sigma Lithium says it has not received any legal communication regarding a preliminary judicial ruling issued without due process, which allegedly suspended its... 


Firering to sell stake in Côte d'Ivoire lithium, tantalum projects
Firering to sell stake in Côte d'Ivoire lithium, tantalum projects
7th September 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

Aim-listed Firering Strategic Minerals has entered into a binding option agreement with ASX-listed Australasian Metals (A8G) pursuant to which Firering has granted A8G an exclusive 90-day option to... 


Brownsville lithium refinery concept
Lithium Universe confirms positive economics for refinery even during price downturns
7th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed Lithium Universe confirms in a prefeasibility study (PFS) for the Brownsville Lithium Carbonate Refinery project, in Texas, strong viability for a lithium conversion project even within... 


Grota do Cirilo mine
Brazilian court suspends licenses for Sigma Lithium mine
7th September 2026 By: Reuters

A Brazilian judge ordered the suspension of environmental licenses and mining activities at Sigma Lithium's Grota do Cirilo mine, a court document seen by Reuters showed. The decision was made on... 


LibertyStream lithium refining unit
Emerging lithium carbonate announces LibertyStream secures $95m funding commitment
4th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

A company aiming to be one of North America’s first commercial producers of lithium carbonate from oilfield brine, LibertyStream, has signed a non-binding term sheet with lending firm Endurance... 


Lithium plains in Utah
Lithium developer Anson secures $193m business incentive from Utah gov
4th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed lithium developer Anson Resources has announced that the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) board has approved a business incentive of $193-million to support the development of Anson's... 


Mining Indaba logo
Africa's greatest mineral asset isn't underground
4th September 2026

The global race for critical minerals is entering a new phase. No longer defined solely by access to mineral reserves, it is increasingly being shaped by industrial policy, geopolitical... 


Image of Keliber lithium refinery
Keliber lithium hydroxide project, Finland – update
4th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Keliber has transitioned from construction into staged operations. 


ariel view of Caldonia mine
Zimbabwe seeks deeper mineral value addition
4th September 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Zimbabwe needs to attract investment into processing, refining and minerals-based manufacturing to retain more value from its mineral resources, reports investment promotion entity Zimbabwe... 


ariel view of a mine site
Investment success hinges on market attractiveness
4th September 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Zimbabwe’s ability to attract and retain mining investment depends on maintaining current economic stability, infrastructure development and access to long-term capital, says financial institution... 


Conference room with local and international staff from China Mineral Resources Group
Lithium mine projects enter trial production
4th September 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Body: With processing facilities entering trial production, Chinese mining company China Mineral Resources Group has completed and commissioned two projects at the Bikita lithium mine in Masvingo... 


a piece of lithium
Export restrictions create tax, transfer pricing challenges
4th September 2026

Zimbabwe’s tightening of export restrictions on unbeneficiated lithium and other raw minerals is creating operational, tax and transfer pricing challenges for multinational companies, reports... 


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pqt: 0.284s - ct: 0.358s - 275pq - 2rq
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