Since we have been using mobiles, even the worst, untalented person in chemistry like me, has heard about the lithium – therefore we have brought up a compilation of the top 8 lithium producing countries in the world. We have taken this compilation from Insider Monkey’s lists, as usual. We can be really grateful to this element, as with its help, we can use our mobiles for a long time without charging. When it comes to the lithium, only 9 countries have the 87% of the total reserves, and naturally the total domination of its industry. If you compare this list to the one about cobalt producing countries in the world, you will see that the two lists are almost the same.
It’s an arresting fact, although the United States has one of the largest lithium reserves, you won’t see it on this list, as the exact datas are withheld in order to keep company proprietary data. As a matter of fact in the United States, the lithium production is focused in only one location, which is Nevada. If we speak about the largest companies producing lithium, there are Lithium Americas (NYSE: LAC), Albemarle (NYSE:ALB), and Livent (NYSE:LTHM) just to name a few.
As we mentioned above, one of the most popular use of lithium is in batteries. Actually 65% of the total lithium usage is in batteries. Other 18% is used in glass and ceramics. Also there is a small use of lithium in casting mold flux powders and in air treatment. However, lithium production in 2019 was less than a year before, in 2018. Its reason is simple, production exceeded the consumption in 2018. Anyhow, there are substitutes for lithium compounds, especially when it comes to batteries: zinc, calcium, magnesium and mercury. An now, without a further ado, let’s have a look at the list of the top 8 lithium producing countries in the world.
8. Brazil
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 300
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 300
7. Canada
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 2,400
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 200
6. Portugal
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 800
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 1,20
5. Zimbabwe
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 1,600
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 1,600
4. Argentina
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 6,400
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 6,400
3. China
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 7,100
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 7,500
2. Chile
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 17,000
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 18,000
1. Australia
Production of lithium in 2018 (in metric tons): 58,800
Production of lithium in 2019 (in metric tons): 42,000
The first stop is given to Australia on the list of top 8 lithium producing countries in the world. An interesting fact the Chile has over three times the lithium reserves that Australia does, but its production isn’t even close to Australia’s.
