0) Largest lithium mines in the world — quick list
For readers searching the largest lithium mines in the world, here’s a concise, operator-reported view of today’s biggest producers or capacities. Note the units differ (spodumene concentrate vs. LCE); see comparability note below.
Top operations (recent output/capacity as reported)
| Operation (type) | Country | Recent scale | Operator(s) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbushes (hard-rock) | Australia | ~1.38 Mt spodumene concentrate in FY24/CY2024 (100% basis) | Talison Lithium (Tianqi/IGO JV) & Albemarle interests | IGO 2024 AR |
| Salar de Atacama (brine) | Chile | ~210 kt/yr lithium chemicals (nameplate, 2024) | SQM (separate lease also operated by Albemarle) | SQM 2024 AR |
| Wodgina (hard-rock) | Australia | ~201 kt SC6 shipped (FY24) | Mineral Resources & Albemarle JV | MinRes FY24 |
| Pilgangoora (hard-rock) | Australia | Record production 725,329 dmt (FY24) | Pilbara Minerals | PLS FY24 presentation |
| Cauchari–Olaroz (brine) | Argentina | ~25,400 t LCE in 2024; commercial production 1 Oct 2024 | Lithium Argentina & Ganfeng JV | LAC-AR MD&A 2024 |
| Olaroz (Stage 1+2) (brine) | Argentina | Nameplate ~42,500 t/yr LCE (100% basis) | Arcadium Lithium (66.5% interest) | Arcadium 2024 10-K |
| Grota do Cirilo (hard-rock) | Brazil | ~240 kt concentrate in 2024; capacity targeting ~520 kt in 2025 | Sigma Lithium | S&P Global |
| Arcadia (hard-rock) | Zimbabwe | ~400,000 t concentrate exported in 2024 (company) | Zhejiang Huayou (Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe) | Reuters (Oct 2025) |
Comparability note: hard-rock mines report spodumene concentrate (e.g., “SC6”) in dry metric tons; brine operations report LCE (lithium-carbon-equivalent). Units are not directly comparable.
Why isn’t China on this “largest lithium mines in the world” list?
This table ranks individual mines by recent output/capacity. China’s domestic mine output is spread across dozens of smaller lepidolite operations (around Yichun, Jiangxi) and salt-lake brines (Qaidam Basin, Qinghai; Tibet), so no single site reaches the scale of Greenbushes (Australia) or Salar de Atacama (Chile). In 2024 China produced about 41,000 t (lithium content), behind Australia and Chile. Where China leads is processing: it refines roughly ~70% of the world’s lithium chemicals (hydroxide/carbonate), much of it made from imported concentrates.
- China 2024 mine output: ~41,000 t (Li content).
- Refining share: ~70% of global lithium chemical output.
- Context: Yichun lepidolite mining has seen periodic crackdowns/suspensions, underscoring fragmented mine scale.
1) What Is Lithium and Lithium Mining?
Lithium (Li) is a soft, highly reactive alkali metal essential to modern rechargeable batteries. In recent years, batteries account for roughly ~80–90% of lithium end-use; the rest spans glass/ceramics, greases, air treatment, and healthcare applications (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries).
“Lithium mining” is a shorthand for extracting lithium from three principal deposit types and processing it into battery chemicals:
🧂 Brine (salars)
Mineralized brines from salt flats are pumped to surface. Traditional projects use large evaporation ponds before chemical processing; newer designs pilot direct lithium extraction (DLE) that strips lithium from brine and reinjects the remainder (DOE/EERE).
⛰️ Hard-rock (pegmatite/spodumene)
Open-pit or underground mining of spodumene-bearing pegmatites. Ore is crushed and concentrated (e.g., “SC6”), then converted to lithium carbonate/hydroxide in refineries (Australia dominates). USGS
🏜️ Sedimentary/claystone
Clay-rich deposits (e.g., Nevada’s Thacker Pass; Serbia’s Jadar) use leaching/roasting flowsheets now advancing through permitting and early construction. Reuters
🌋 Geothermal brines + DLE
Projects seek to pair power generation with lithium recovery and brine re-injection (e.g., Salton Sea, CA). Potentially smaller land/water footprint; still scaling. CEC study
2) Lithium in the New World Economy — Development Potential
The IEA projects lithium demand could rise several-fold by 2040 in clean-energy scenarios, reflecting surging EV and grid-storage adoption (IEA Critical Minerals Outlook). Supply and processing are concentrated in a handful of countries, prompting policies to diversify supply, localize refining, and expand recycling.
3) How Do They Mine Lithium? Types & Occurrence
Although prospects exist on every inhabited continent, a relatively small number of operations provide most supply each year (notably Australia’s hard-rock mines and South American brines). New techniques like DLE aim to unlock resources in places where evaporation ponds are impractical or water-limited.
4) Rankings — Area Size, Output, Reserves & Emerging Regions
Area — Giant Salt Flats
- Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia: ~10,582 km² (largest salt flat; huge lithium resources, limited commercial production so far). Britannica
- Salar de Atacama, Chile: ~3,000 km²; long the largest active lithium brine source. USGS EROS
Selected Mine Output (recent, operator-reported)
| Operation (type) | Country | Recent output (as reported) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenbushes (hard-rock) | Australia | ~1.38 Mt spodumene concentrate (CY2024, 100% basis) | IGO 2024 AR |
| Wodgina (hard-rock) | Australia | ~201 kt SC6 shipped (FY24) | Mineral Resources FY24 |
| Pilgangoora (hard-rock) | Australia | ~725 kt SC (FY24) | PLS FY24 |
| Salar de Atacama (brine) | Chile | Dominant part of Chile’s ~49 kt Li (content) in 2024 | USGS 2025 |
Note: Hard-rock mines report spodumene concentrate (SC6), brine operations often report LCE. These are not directly comparable.
Country Leaders — Production & Reserves (USGS)
- Production (2024, Li content): Australia (~88 kt), Chile (~49 kt), China (~41 kt), Argentina (~18 kt), Zimbabwe (~22 kt), Brazil (~10 kt), Canada (~4 kt). USGS
- Reserves (selected): Australia (~57 Mt), Chile (~9.3 Mt), Argentina (~4 Mt), China (~3 Mt), U.S. (~1.8 Mt), Canada (~1.2 Mt), Zimbabwe (~0.48 Mt). USGS
Untouched / Early-Stage or Contested Regions
- Bolivia (Uyuni/Coipasa) — DLE partnerships; commercial timing uncertain. Reuters
- Serbia (Jadar) — permits paused/reinstated; strong local opposition. Reuters
- USA — Thacker Pass (NV) under construction/appeals; Salton Sea DLE pairing geothermal + extraction. DOE
- Mexico — nationalization (LitioMx); legacy concessions in flux. SME
- Ghana (Ewoyaa) — mine permits advanced; awaiting parliamentary ratification. Company update
- Zimbabwe — value-addition push; export ban on concentrate from 2027. Reuters
5) Environmental Impacts & Concerns (Air, Water, Toxics) — Rules Differ
Water & Ecosystems
In arid salars, brine pumping/evaporation can alter water balances and wetlands (e.g., flamingo habitats). A 2024 study reported subsidence in parts of the Atacama salt flat; operators increasingly use desalinated seawater to reduce freshwater draw. Reuters, Guardian
Hard-Rock Footprint
Open pits, crushing, roasting, and chemical conversion bring land disturbance, tailings, dust, and CO2 impacts—varying by ore grade, power mix, and logistics. Peer-reviewed LCAs show wide ranges; electrification and renewables can cut intensity. RSC Sustainability (2025)
DLE & Geothermal Pathways
DLE can reduce land/water use vs. ponds and enable brine reinjection, but requires careful reagent/power management; several first-of-a-kind plants are in the pipeline. DOE/EERE, CEC
Policy Landscape
Chile is increasing state participation and oversight in Atacama (Codelco–SQM). Zimbabwe mandates local processing. Mexico nationalized the sector. In the U.S., projects face NEPA/state reviews and—in California—a lithium extraction tax supporting Salton Sea restoration. Codelco–SQM, Reuters, Imperial County
Bottom line: impacts depend on site-specific geology, hydrology, technology, and governance—not just the deposit type.
Lithium Stocks (not investment advise)
Current lithium producers / sellers stocks
| Company | Ticker | Role | Status | Key assets / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albemarle | NYSE: ALB | Both | Producer | Global chemicals producer (Chile, Australia, U.S.); 2025 ops updates show focused capex and cost cuts. |
| Rio Tinto Lithium (Arcadium Lithium acquired Mar 6, 2025) | NYSE/LSE/ASX: RIO | Both | Producer | Owns Arcadium assets (ex-Livent/Allkem); portfolio incl. Argentina (Rincón) and chemicals capacity. |
| SQM | NYSE: SQM | Both | Producer | Salar de Atacama brine producer; 2025 sales guidance broadly in line with 2024. |
| Lithium Argentina | NYSE/TSX: LAAC | Both | Producer | Caucharí-Olaroz producing; 2025 guidance ~30–35 kt LCE. |
| Sigma Lithium | NASDAQ/TSX: SGML | Miner | Producer | Grota do Cirilo (Brazil) in production; Phase-2 expansion underway toward ~520 kt/y concentrate. |
| American Battery Technology Co. | Nasdaq: ABAT | Processor | Producer | Nevada Li-ion battery recycling facility operating 24/7; production/sales ramping through 2025. |
In development (near-term / construction / commissioning)
| Company | Ticker | Role | Status | Key assets / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium Americas (U.S.) | NYSE/TSX: LAC | Both | In dev | Thacker Pass (NV) in major construction; DOE loan in place; Phase-1 design ~40 kt/y Li₂CO₃. |
| Ioneer | Nasdaq: IONR | Both | In dev | Rhyolite Ridge (NV) — DOE ~$1B loan guarantee closed Jan 2025; integrated processing planned. |
| Atlas Lithium | Nasdaq: ATLX | Miner | In dev | Neves Project (Brazil) — modular plant delivered; DFS published 2025. |
| Standard Lithium | NYSE American: SLI | Both | In dev | South West Arkansas (Smackover) DLE project — DFS filed Oct 2025. |
| Aqua Metals | Nasdaq: AQMS | Processor | In dev | Li AquaRefining™ recycling campus (NV) advancing commercialization; demo plant producing high-purity material. |
Planned / early-stage (raising capital, permits, land)
| Company | Ticker | Role | Status | Key assets / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Lithium | Nasdaq/ASX: PLL | Both | Planned | Carolina Lithium (NC) — state mining permit received; still needs county zoning/financing. |
| American Lithium | Nasdaq: AMLI | Both | Planned | TLC (NV) claystone — water agreement signed Sept 2025; advancing studies and permitting. |
Legend — Role: Miner=extraction; Processor=refining/recycling; Both=integrated. Status reflects public guidance as of 2025-10-14. This is not investment advice.
Stock Sources
- Albemarle — Q2 2025 results & outlook
- Rio Tinto — completes acquisition of Arcadium Lithium (Mar 6, 2025)
- Arcadium Lithium — regulatory approvals to close deal
- SQM — Q2 2025 release / guidance
- Lithium Argentina — 2025 production guidance
- Sigma Lithium — 2Q25 results / expansion
- Lithium Americas — Q2 2025 construction update (Thacker Pass)
- Lithium Americas — DOE loan amendments & 40kt/y design
- DOE LPO — Ioneer Rhyolite Ridge loan closed
- Atlas Lithium — plant arrival (Mar 2025) | DFS (Aug 2025)
- Standard Lithium — DFS filed (Oct 14, 2025)
- Aqua Metals — 2025 progress & high-purity output
- Piedmont — NC state mining permit (still needs zoning/financing)
- American Lithium — TLC water agreement (Sept 2025)
- ABAT — production ramp at Nevada recycling facility
6) Linked Sources anchor-verified
- USGS — Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025: Lithium (uses, 2024 production, reserves): PDF
- IEA — Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2024 (demand trajectories): link
- World Bank — Climate-Smart Mining: link
- UNCTAD — Critical minerals opportunities/risks (2024): link
- OECD/IGF — pricing & base-erosion guidance (2024): link
- DOE/EERE — geothermal brines & DLE overview: link
- California Energy Commission — Salton Sea DLE study (2024): PDF
- Britannica — Uyuni Salt Flat area: link
- USGS EROS — Salar de Atacama (~3,000 km²): link
- IGO — Greenbushes production (2024): PDF
- Mineral Resources — Wodgina FY24: link
- Pilbara Minerals — Pilgangoora FY24: link
- Reuters — Atacama subsidence study (2024): link
- The Guardian — desalination & Atacama water (2025): link
- RSC Sustainability (2025) — LCA ranges: link
- Codelco–SQM partnership (Atacama oversight): link
- Mexico lithium nationalization background: link
- Zimbabwe — concentrate export ban from 2027: link
- Bolivia — DLE agreements progress: link
- Imperial County (CA) — lithium tax & Salton Sea restoration: link
Figures are representative snapshots (as reported) and may evolve with markets, technology, and policy.