Beneath The Surface

The Biggest Lithium Mines In The World, And Mining Methods

Contents

1. The Current Largest Lithium Mining Projects

2. Open-Pit vs Brine Extraction

3. Concluding Remarks

Last week we explored the biggest Lithium companies in the world, now I’ll explore the largest mines and different lithium mining methods.

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Mining Projects

1) Greenbushes Lithium Operations, Australia (Albemarle) – The Greenbushes region has been mining tin since 1888, and tantalum since the 1940s. Its first lithium mine began development in 1983, with the commission of the first lithium processing plant occurring in 1985. A second processing plant opened in 2019, with a third starting construction this year (2023). The website states this expansion of production will supply companies such as Tianqi and Albemarle with greater amounts of lithium.

Expected Mine Life: 2042

2) Salar de Atacama, Chile (SQM) – Uses brine extraction and vertical pumping wells that pump brine from reservoirs below the surface. These brines contain high concentrations of potassium, lithium, sulphates, and boron at this mine.

Expected Mine Life: 2030

3) Mount Marion Lithium Project, Australia (Mineral Resources and Ganfeng) – Open pit mine, mainly finding lithium and spodumene. Owned in a 50/50 split by Mineral Resources and Ganfeng. Mineral resources are the operator.

Expected Mine Life: 2041

Photo by Dion Beetson on Unsplash

4) Pilgangoora Project, Australia (Pilbara Minerals) – An open pit mine with two processing plants. One of the largest hard rock lithium deposits anywhere in the world.