Lithium – Major hard-rock mines production

Hard rock lithium mines typically extract lithium from spodumene, a mineral that contains high concentrations of lithium. Some of the major hard rock lithium mines in the world include:

• Greenbushes lithium mine, Australia: Greenbushes is the world’s largest hard rock lithium mine, located in Western Australia. It is operated by Talison Lithium. In 2020, the mine produced over 45,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), making it the largest producer of lithium in the world. The mine has been in operation since 1983 and has undergone several expansions to increase production capacity. In 2018, Talison Lithium announced plans to expand the mine’s production capacity to 1.34 million tonnes of lithium concentrate per annum, with construction expected to be completed in 2021.

• Bikita Minerals lithium mine, Zimbabwe: Bikita Minerals is one of the largest lithium mines in Africa, producing high-grade lithium ore. It is located in the southern part of Zimbabwe. The mine is owned by Bikita Minerals (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation. Bikita Minerals produces petalite and spodumene concentrate that is sold to customers in Europe, Asia, and North America. The spodumene concentrate contains high-grade lithium and is processed into lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, which are used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. In 2020, Bikita Minerals produced over 2,400 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), making it one of the largest lithium producers in Africa. 

• Wodgina lithium mine, Australia: is a large-scale hard rock lithium mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The mine is owned by Mineral Resources Limited (MRL), a mining services company that provides mining and processing services to the mining industry. Wodgina produces a spodumene concentrate that is sold to customers in Asia, Europe, and North America. The concentrate is processed into lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, which are used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. In 2020, Wodgina produced around 184,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate, which is equivalent to approximately 37,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). Wodgina is currently undergoing an expansion to increase production capacity to 750,000 metric tons per annum, with the potential to further expand to 1.5 million metric tons per annum. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2022 and will make Wodgina one of the largest lithium producers in the world.

• Mount Marion lithium mine, Australia: is a hard rock lithium mine located in Western Australia. The mine is a joint venture between three companies: Mineral Resources Limited (43.1% stake), Neometals Ltd (13.8% stake), and Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd (43.1% stake). Mount Marion produces a spodumene concentrate that is sold to customers in China, Japan, and Korea. The concentrate is processed into lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, which are used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. In 2020, Mount Marion produced around 238,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate, which is equivalent to approximately 47,500 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The mine has been in operation since 2016 and has undergone several expansions to increase production capacity. Mount Marion is one of the largest lithium mines in Western Australia and is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for lithium as the adoption of electric vehicles and energy storage systems continues to grow. Pilgangoora lithium mine, Australia: is a hard rock lithium mine located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The mine is owned by Pilbara Minerals Limited, an Australian mining company that specializes in the exploration, development, and production of lithium and tantalum minerals. Pilgangoora produces a spodumene concentrate that is sold to customers in Asia, Europe, and North America. The concentrate is processed into lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate, which are used in the production of lithium-ion batteries. In 2020, Pilgangoora produced around 327,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate, which is equivalent to approximately 65,400 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The mine has been in operation since 2018 and has a mine life of over 36 years. Pilgangoora has significant potential for expansion, with plans to increase production capacity to over 7 million metric tons per annum.

• Altura lithium mine, Australia: Altura is a lithium mine located in Western Australia. It is owned by Altura Mining and produces lithium concentrate for export.

• Manono lithium project, Democratic Republic of Congo: Manono is a large hard rock lithium project located in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is operated by AVZ Minerals and has the potential to become one of the world’s largest lithium mines.