Lithium in Australia - statistics & facts

Lithium is a metal that has a wide range of end-uses and applications across several industries. It is most commonly used as a component in rechargeable batteries, though it also has uses in its various chemical forms. Lithium ore is critical for many chemical, laboratory, and industrial processes, from metallurgy in steel and aluminum production to lubricating greases. The increasing demand for lithium batteries in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies has contributed to the steady increase in the global demand for lithium, projected to reach two million metric tons of lithium carbonate by 2030. For such a wide-ranging demand, the global mine production of lithium is dominated by just a few countries, including Chile, China, and Australia.

Australia’s lithium market

Australia is one of the largest lithium producers in the mineral form of spodumene worldwide. Currently, most spodumene concentrate mined in Australia is exported, as the country has limited capabilities to refine the mineral into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Spodumene mines are primarily located in Western Australia, with the state exporting most of its lithium output to China in 2022. The leading companies operating lithium mines in Australia include Pilbara Minerals, Mineral Resources, and Core Lithium. In the financial year 2022, the total production volume of lithium spodumene concentrates from Pilbara Minerals reached 378 million metric tons.

What is the outlook for lithium in Australia?

The Australian government has invested heavily in the critical minerals industry, with lithium essential to the country’s modern technology, economies, and national security. Lithium is one of the key mineral commodities invested in Western Australia. Liontown Resources, a battery mineral company, has recently secured government finance to support the development of its Kathleen Valley lithium project in Western Australia. Liontown’s current projects include expanding mining operations and exploring the feasibility of building a lithium sulfate plant in Australia. They would then supply lithium processing enterprises in Japan to produce lithium hydroxide. Diversifying Australia’s reliance on China for lithium exports and improving its domestic lithium processing capabilities continues to be a topic of interest within the mining industry.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by L. Granwal, Jan 10, 2024

Key insights

Average price of lithium carbonate
46k USD/mt
Australia's share of global lithium reserves
22%
Number of operating lithium mines in Australia
5
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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Mine production of lithium in Australia from 2010 to 2022 (in metric tons)

Mining, Metals & Minerals

Lithium production volume in Australia 2010-2022

Export volume of lithium spodumene concentrates in Australia in financial year 2022 with a projection until 2028 (in kilotons)

Mining, Metals & Minerals

Export volume of lithium in Australia FY 2022-2028

Leading lithium mining companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as of August 7, 2023, by market capitalization (in billion Australian dollars)

Mining, Metals & Minerals

Leading lithium mining companies ASX Australia 2023, by market cap

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