Key Statistics on Lithium Supply and Demand
- Lithium consumption increased at a rate of 6% per year between 2000 and 2008 (Source: The Economics of Lithium, Roskill 2009)
- Demand is expected to outpace supply for the next ten years (Source: SQM 2007 annual report)
- Since 2000, the increase of lithium consumption in batteries increased at a rate of 22% per year (Source: The Economics of Lithium, Roskill 2009)
- Demand for lithium could explode if hybrid cars become a reality due to a high fuel process and the urgent need to upgrade emissions standards in vehicles
Long-Term Supply is Uncertain
- Major producers are brine projects – cannot easily increase capacity (risk collapse of water table)
- Hard rock mining is still relatively expensive and time intensive to start up. It takes years for resource identification
- Hectorite Clays have unproven production but are a potential future source
The Bulk of World Lithium Reserves are Found in Politically Sensitive Regions
