Lithium is one of the elements which is on-demand in the world but is affecting the whole world. Among all the metals it has the lowest density, floats on water, is soft and lightweight. Also, lithium-ion is more efficient, durable as compared to other chemicals used in batteries, lighter, and can be chosen for storing energy. Lithium and its compounds have been considered as the best metal in most industries due to its versatility. Lithium application involves hybrid vehicles, cameras, laptop and mobile phone batteries, power tools, and also it is the major component in ceramics and heat resistant glass. The lithium mining sector has been turned into a powerhouse due to this higher usage of lithium. Currently, energy game has been changed and more electric-battery powered vehicles are manufactured. All the countries have announced to change their way of powering vehicle from conventional gasoline to electric powers such as Netherlands, Canada, France, UK, and Norway. More lithium is consumed by electric vehicles, almost about 5000 times more than a cell phone at an average rate. More lithium is demanded by vehicles with high range. This article will cover details about Top 10 Lithium Global Mining Companies.
One of the companies is SQM. Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM) was founded in 1968. It is a Chilean chemical company that is the supplier of lithium, iodine, and other chemicals for industrial use. It is Santiago, A Chile-based firm, and is one of the biggest producers of lithium around the globe. At Salar de Atacama salt flat in the Atacama Desert in North Chile, lithium is produced in form of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate from brine in the company. In 2020, the firm has reported 70,000 tone lithium carbonate capacity. Lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate are produced from the extracted lithium concentration in Salar del Carmen plant. Another company is Mineral Resources Ltd. It is an Australian firm with its contracting firms headquarter in Applecross, West Australia processes minerals. Open-pit mining of lithium and iron ore and lithium hydroxide processes are included in the operations of the firm. The company has a joint project of lithium with Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd and Neometals Ltd called MT. Marion Lithium project which is currently going on 40 km west of Kalgoorlie in Australia. This is an open-pit mine with a total capacity of 450,000 tons per annum and 20-year life. You can read more about other companies in this article 15 Biggest Lithium Mining Companies in the World.
