AN ABUNDANCE OF LITHIUM

Abstract

Keith Evans, a geologist by profession, first became involved in the lithium business in the early 1970’s when, on behalf of Selection Trust Ltd., was asked to evaluate the future potential of Bikita Minerals in what, at that time, was Southern Rhodesia (later Zimbabwe). Selection Trust was the majority owner of the operation which, prior to the imposition of United Nations sanctions, had been the dominant producer of lithium ores for direct usage in the glass and ceramics industry. Subsequently, he joined Lithium Corporation of America, the then leading lithium chemical producer and later moved to Amax Exploration. On behalf of Amax and a Chilean partner he negotiated with Corfo, a Chilean government entity, the rights to evaluate and develop that part of the Salar de Atacama that had not been leased to the Foote Mineral Company. He was responsible for all aspects of the evaluation but when Amax decided not to proceed with the project it was acquired by Sociedad Quimica y Minera (SQM) and the company is now the world’s largest lithium chemicals producer. Throughout his career in the lithium industry it was his responsibility to monitor industry developments particularly in respect of new resources and he has continued as a consultant in a In 1976 a National Research Council Panel estimated that Western World lithium reserves and resources totaled 10.6 million tonnes as elemental lithium. Subsequent discoveries, particularly in brines in the southern Andes and the plateaus of western China and Tibet have increased the tonnages significantly. Geothermal brines and lithium bearing clays add to the total. This current estimate totals 28.4 million tonnes Li equivalent to more than 150.0 million tonnes of lithium carbonate of which nearly 14.0 million tonnes lithium (about 74.0 million tonnes of carbonate) are at active or proposed operations. This can be compared with current demand for lithium chemicals which approximates to 84,000 tonnes as lithium carbonate equivalents (16,000 tonnes Li). Concerns regarding lithium availability for hybrid or electric vehicle batteries or other foreseeable applications are unfounded.