The Ultimate Guide to Lithium Extraction Industry

The lithium industry has been experiencing rapid growth over the past decade, driven by the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other high-tech applications.

As of early 2023, the lithium industry is still not recovered from the pandemic, with some supply chain disruptions and production delays still affecting the market. However, overall demand for lithium is expected to continue growing, driven by the ongoing transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.

However, do you know where all that lithium comes from and how it’s produced? In this article, we will take a look at some typical lithium production paths and how they compare.

What is lithium extraction?

Lithium extraction refers to the process of obtaining lithium from its sources, which can be ores or brines. There are several methods for extracting lithium, depending on the source and the specific minerals present.

What are the paths to lithium extraction?

There are several paths to lithium extraction, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common methods of lithium extraction are:

1. Mining: Lithium can be mined from hard rock deposits, known as spodumene, using traditional underground or open-pit mining methods. Lithium extraction from hard rock, such as spodumene, typically involves a combination of crushing, grinding, roasting, leaching, purification, precipitation, drying and packaging. Lithium extraction from hard rock is typically more expensive and energy-intensive than brine extraction, but it can also yield higher-quality lithium. Spodumene is one of the most common sources of hard rock lithium, but other minerals such as petalite and lepidolite can also be used.

2. Brine Extraction: Lithium can also be obtained from brine deposits, which are underground reservoirs of salty water that contain dissolved lithium. Brine is typically pumped to the surface and allowed to evaporate in large ponds, leaving behind lithium salts that can be further processed. Brine extraction is generally less expensive than mining, but it can be slower and yield lower-quality lithium. In some cases, reverse osmosis (RO) is used to concentrate the lithium brine to speed up the evaporation process.

3. Geothermal Brine Extraction: Geothermal brine extraction is a variation of brine extraction that involves using hot water from geothermal wells to dissolve and extract lithium from underground brines. This method can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly than traditional brine extraction, but it is still in the experimental stages and is not yet widely used.

4. Lithium Clay Extraction: Lithium can also be obtained from clay deposits, which are mined using conventional open-pit mining methods. The clay is then leached with sulfuric acid to extract the lithium. This method can be less expensive than traditional mining, but it can also yield lower-quality lithium.

Each method of lithium extraction has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on factors such as the quality and quantity of the lithium source, environmental regulations, and economic considerations. As the demand for lithium continues to grow, there is ongoing research and development into new and more efficient methods of lithium extraction.

What are the trends in lithium extraction industry?

In terms of future trends, several key developments are likely to shape the lithium extraction industry in the coming years:

1. Expansion of Production Capacity: As demand for lithium continues to grow, lithium producers are expanding their production capacity to meet this demand. This has led to the development of new lithium mines and processing facilities, particularly in countries with large lithium reserves such as Australia, Chile, and Argentina.

2. Diversification of supply: As demand for lithium grows, there is likely to be an increased focus on diversifying the sources of lithium production. Currently, the majority of lithium comes from just a few countries, including Australia, Chile, and Argentina. However, new sources of lithium, such as brine deposits in Nevada and clay deposits in Mexico, are being developed.

3. Technological advancements: Advances in battery technology, such as the development of solid-state batteries, could change the demand dynamics for lithium and other materials used in battery production. In addition, improvements in lithium extraction and processing techniques could help to reduce the environmental impact of lithium mining and production. Also the use of new membrane technologies and ion exchange resins will reduce the environmental impact of brine extraction.

4. Policy changes: Government policies, such as subsidies for electric vehicles and incentives for renewable energy development, are likely to continue to drive demand for lithium. However, there could also be regulatory changes aimed at reducing the environmental impact of lithium mining and production, which could increase costs for producers and affect the supply chain.

Overall, the lithium industry is likely to continue to experience strong growth in the coming years, driven by the ongoing transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. However, the industry will need to navigate challenges such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing technology and policy landscapes in order to sustain this growth.

Myande offers a variety of technologies for major upstream and midstream lithium extraction processes, including evaporation concentration, crystallization, purification separation and drying. Myande processes provide its customers with a competitive advantage, achieving higher productivity under tighter specifications while reducing costs and increasing efficiency. And all of plants meet the complex safety requirements of the chemical industry.