According to GlobalData, there are more than 26 lithium mines in operation globally. GlobalData tracks and profiles over 33,000 mines and projects from early exploration to closure, across more than 150 countries and more than 100 commodities. Buy the latest mine-site profiles here.
The following are the ten largest lithium mines by production across the world in 2022, according to GlobalData’s mining database.
1. Greenbushes Lithium Operations
The Greenbushes Lithium Operations is a surface mine situated in Western Australia, Australia. Owned by Albemarle, the brownfield mine produced an estimated 155.8 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine will operate until 2039. Buy the profile here.
2. Salar de Atacama Mine
Located in Antofa*gasta, Chile, the Salar de Atacama Mine is owned by Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile. The in-situ leaching mine produced an estimated 135.4 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine will operate until 2030. Buy the profile here.
3. Mount Marion Lithium Project
The Mount Marion Lithium Project is a surface mine located in Western Australia, Australia. Owned by Mineral Resources, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 64 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine will operate until 2047. Buy the profile here.
4. Pilgangoora Project
Owned by Pilbara Minerals, the Pilgangoora Project is a surface mine situated in Western Australia, Australia. The brownfield mine produced an estimated 56.1 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The expected mine closure date is 2060. Buy the profile here.
5. Salar de Atacama Mine (Albemarle Corporation)
The Salar de Atacama Mine (Albemarle Corporation) is a in-situ leaching mine situated in El Loa, Chile. Owned by Albemarle, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 32.89 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine is expected to operate until 2043. Buy the profile here.
6. Salar del Hombre Muerto Mine
The Salar del Hombre Muerto Mine is a in-situ leaching mine situated in Catamarca, Argentina. Owned by Livent, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 32.8 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine will operate until 2090. Buy the profile here.
7. Mount Cattlin Lithium Mine
Located in Western Australia, Australia, the Mount Cattlin Lithium Mine is owned by Allkem. The surface mine produced an estimated 26.81 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine will operate until 2025. Buy the profile here.
8. Bikita Mine
The Bikita Mine is a surface mine located in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Owned by Bikita Minerals (PVT), the greenfield mine produced an estimated 26.6 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. Buy the profile here.
9. Salar de Uyuni Mine
Owned by Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos, the Salar de Uyuni Mine is a surface mine situated in Potosi, Bolivia. The greenfield mine produced an estimated 14 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. Buy the profile here.
10. Salar De Olaroz Lithium Project
The Salar De Olaroz Lithium Project is a in-situ leaching mine situated in Jujuy, Argentina. Owned by Allkem, the greenfield mine produced an estimated 13.8 thousand tonnes of lithium in 2022. The mine is expected to operate until 2060. Buy the profile here.
For more details on the latest mine sites, buy the latest mine-site profiles here.
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FAQs
The world's largest lithium-producing mine is Talison Lithium and Albemarle's Greenbushes hard-rock mine in Australia, which put out 37,000 MT of lithium in concentrate in 2022. Coming in second place is SQM's Salar de Atacama operations in Chile, with 2022 production of 29,500 MT of lithium.
What are the largest lithium mines in the world? ›
The world's largest lithium-producing mine is Talison Lithium and Albemarle's Greenbushes hard-rock mine in Australia, which put out 37,000 MT of lithium in concentrate in 2022. Coming in second place is SQM's Salar de Atacama operations in Chile, with 2022 production of 29,500 MT of lithium.
Where is America's largest lithium mine? ›
McDermitt Caldera, straddling the border of Oregon and Nevada, may hold 20 to 40 million metric tons of extractable lithium, which would make it the largest known lithium deposit in the world. The caldera was the site of a massive volcanic eruption roughly 16 million years ago, which spewed lithium-rich magma.
How many lithium mines are there in the US? ›
Currently, only one lithium mine operates in the United States, the Silver Peak mine in Clayton Valley, Nevada; most of the global lithium supply is extracted in Chile and Australia.
Who mines lithium for Tesla? ›
At the end of 2021, Tesla inked a fresh three year lithium supply deal with top lithium producer Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,SZSE:002460). The Chinese company will provide products to Tesla for three years starting in 2022.
Where does Tesla get its lithium? ›
Tesla does not rely on a single supplier for lithium; instead, it diversifies its sources. At the end of 2021, Tesla signed a three-year lithium supply agreement with Ganfeng Lithium, a leading lithium producer based in China. Major mining companies like Livent and Albemarle also have supply contracts with Tesla.
What country is richest in lithium? ›
In nature, lithium occurs only in compounds due to its high reactivity. Chile has the largest lithium reserves worldwide by a large margin. Australia comes in second, with reserves estimated at 6.2 million metric tons in 2023.
Who owns most of the lithium mines in the world? ›
Chile holds the world's largest lithium reserves and is the world's second-largest producer. Lithium is currently produced from hard rock or brine mines. Australia is the world's biggest supplier, with production from hard rock mines.
Who owns the largest lithium discovery in America? ›
The lithium mine at Thacker Pass is a project of Lithium Nevada, LLC – a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Americas Corp, whose largest shareholder is the world's largest lithium mining company, Chinese Ganfeng Lithium.
Is the US rich in lithium? ›
As you heard, the United States has some of the largest lithium deposits in the world, but less than 1% of global lithium is currently mined in the United States. That's poised to change, because the domestic market for lithium is roaring back.
The global lithium-ion battery industry is dominated by China. Chinese companies supply 80 percent of the world's battery cells and account for nearly 60 percent of the EV battery market. Even some US companies that produce batteries rely on lithium-ion cell components produced by Chinese manufacturers.
What rock is lithium found in? ›
In keeping with its name, lithium forms a minor part of igneous rocks, with the largest concentrations in granites. Granitic pegmatites also provide the greatest abundance of lithium-containing minerals, with spodumene and petalite being the most commercially viable sources.
Where is the only active lithium mine in the US? ›
Nevada is home to the only operating lithium mine in the United States which is located in Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County. The mine has been in operation since 1967, employs 85 people, and produces lithium carbonate from evaporation ponds which concentrate the lithium.
Does Texas have lithium? ›
Samuel Shaw: It is getting attention because some of the highest grades of lithium, or I should say the highest grade of lithium sampled anywhere in North America was in deep East Texas, just by the Louisiana border.
How much is a Tesla battery? ›
The battery replacement cost varies depending on the model year and size. Estimates suggest that the batteries for the Model S cost between $12,000 and $15,000. After labor charges, the total repair cost is about $20,000 to $22,000.
Is lithium mining bad for the Environment? ›
Daily, the impact of lithium mining includes the continuous use of water resources, the generation of waste, and the potential for pollution. This daily toll on the environment can lead to long-term ecological damage.
Where is the most lithium mines in the world? ›
Australia, the world's leading producer, extracts lithium directly from hard rock mines, specifically the mineral spodumene. Chile, along with Argentina, China, and other top producers, extracts lithium from brine.
Where are the major lithium mines in the world? ›
The country with the most lithium reserves is Chile. Chile is home to the world's largest known lithium reserves, estimated to be 9.3 million metric tons. On the other hand, Australia holds the 2nd position with 6.2 million metric tons.
Who are the top 3 producers of lithium? ›
Lithium is a lightweight metal used in the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles. The need for lithium has increased significantly due to the growing demand for EVs. The three largest producers of lithium are Australia, Chile and China.
