The critical metal across the entire structure of a battery cell
Lithium
Lithium is the lightest of all metals. The key components of a lithium-ion battery are the cathode, anode, electrolyte, separator and current collectors.
All Li-ion batteries can be broken down into a single battery cell. Within the cell, there are several key common components which can vary greatly based on material choice and intended application.
Our partner Benchmark Mineral Intelligence anticipates that by 2030 around 90% of global consumption of lithium will be attributable to lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
Lithium hydroxide is primarily produced from spodumene processing
We have in place projects and offtake agreements to procure spodumene concentrate (SC6) from established producers with transparent supply in politically stable jurisdictions with low sovereign risk.
Primary production of lithium is undertaken from two principal sources: underground lithium-bearing brines and the mining and processing of granitic pegmatite ore (hard rock) containing lithium.
Global production of lithium from hard rock sources is dominated by Western Australia, the largest producer of spodumene concentrate globally.
Lithium Chemicals Plant
Scheduled for construction commencing in 2024, the Lithium Chemicals Plant (LCP) will initially comprise 2 processing trains to produce 50,000 tpa of high purity lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) per train. Stage 2 future expansion to scale up to 6 trains with a combined production capacity of 150,000 tpa of LHM.
