This article provides an overview of lithium production by country, as lithium is a crucial element in the manufacturing of batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and other electronic devices. Here are the top lithium producing countries:
Australia - Accounting for around 60% of global production, Australia is the largest producer of lithium worldwide. It is home to several lithium mines, including Greenbushes, one of the largest lithium mines globally.
Chile - Chile is the second-largest producer of lithium, responsible for around 20% of global production. The Salar de Atacama, which is the largest salt flat in Chile, is home to some of the world's largest lithium reserves.
Argentina - Accounting for about 10% of global production, Argentina is the third-largest producer of lithium. It is home to the Salinas Grandes salt flat, which is one of the world's largest lithium reserves.
China - Accounting for approximately 8% of global production, China is the fourth-largest producer of lithium. The country has several lithium mines, including the Greenbushes mine in Western Australia, jointly owned by Chinese company Tianqi Lithium.
Canada - Canada accounts for approximately 2% of global production and is the fifth-largest producer of lithium. The country has several Lithium Projects in northwestern Ontario, which is a promising source of lithium.
Other countries that produce lithium include the United States, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Portugal, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States is home to the only operating lithium mine in the country, the Silver Peak mine in Nevada.
Although lithium production is dominated by Australia, Chile, and Argentina, which together account for approximately 90% of global production, other countries are starting to explore lithium mining as the demand for the metal continues to grow.