The world's mine production of lithium reached a new high of 180,000 metric tons in 2023. This represented a significant increase from 2010, when global lithium production stood at about 28,100 metric tons.
Lithium: a useful and elusive element
The chemical element lithium has many uses but is most notably used in batteries, mental health treatment, and in pyrotechnics. This silvery-white alkali metal was first isolated in 1855 by Augustus Mattiessen and Robert Bunsen. Lithium is widely present worldwide, but due to its high reactivity it does not naturally occur in its elemental form. Chile and Australia have the largest lithium reserves in the world.
Lithium producers
There are several key players involved in the lucrative global lithium mining business. Based on market capitalization, Albemarle was the leading lithium producing company in 2022. Looking to the future, lithium producers have a strong outlook, as the total worldwide lithium demand is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.
Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023
(in metric tons of lithium content)
* Estimate
Data is rounded and excludes U.S. production figures, which has been withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
This statistic was assembled using several editions of the report.
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US Geological Survey. (January 31, 2024). Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in metric tons of lithium content) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 11, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/606684/world-production-of-lithium/
US Geological Survey. "Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in metric tons of lithium content)." Chart. January 31, 2024. Statista. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/606684/world-production-of-lithium/
US Geological Survey. (2024). Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in metric tons of lithium content). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 11, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/606684/world-production-of-lithium/
US Geological Survey. "Mine Production of Lithium Worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in Metric Tons of Lithium Content)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/606684/world-production-of-lithium/
US Geological Survey, Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in metric tons of lithium content) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/606684/world-production-of-lithium/ (last visited October 11, 2024)
Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in metric tons of lithium content) [Graph], US Geological Survey, January 31, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/606684/world-production-of-lithium/