Lithium Minerals And Brine: World Production, By Country Or Locality

This table presents detailed data on the global production of lithium minerals and brine by country or locality, covering the years 2018 through 2022. It includes figures for gross weight, lithium content, and lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), which standardizes various lithium compounds for comparison. This information is crucial for understanding the supply dynamics of lithium, a key element in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems. Tracking production trends helps policymakers, industry stakeholders, and investors assess resource availability, market shifts, and potential supply chain vulnerabilities in the rapidly growing lithium market.

Analysis of the data reveals significant growth in global lithium production over the five-year period, with total lithium carbonate equivalent rising from approximately 489,000 metric tons in 2018 to 779,000 metric tons in 2022. Australia remains the dominant producer, with spodumene output increasing markedly from 291,333 metric tons LCE in 2018 to 397,748 metric tons LCE in 2022, reflecting a strong expansion in hard-rock lithium mining. Chile and Argentina, major sources of lithium from subsurface brine, also show notable increases; Chile’s lithium carbonate production grew from 87,029 metric tons in 2018 to 201,950 metric tons in 2022, while Argentina’s output rose from 29,707 to 30,909 metric tons LCE over the same period. China’s lithium carbonate production more than tripled, from 37,800 metric tons in 2018 to an estimated 120,000 metric tons in 2022, underscoring its growing role in the lithium supply chain. Conversely, production in Portugal and Zimbabwe declined significantly, with Portugal’s LCE dropping from 6,134 metric tons in 2018 to an estimated 2,000 metric tons in 2022. Overall, the data highlights a robust upward trend in lithium production driven primarily by Australia, Chile, Argentina, and China, reflecting the escalating global demand for lithium-ion battery materials.