“Key sources” of new lithium-ion for the battery materials market in 2019 will again come from Australia, say market analysts.
An additional 60 kilotonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) output will come from mines in the so-called ‘lucky country’, according to metal and materials research consultancy Wood Mackenzie.
Australia has shown its ability to “fast-track spodumene operations in recent years through a combination of a benign investment environment, technical expertise and existing infrastructure”, Wood Mackenzie said.
Exports from Western Australia’s Wodgina hard rock lithium mine are expected to add up to around 33kt LCE for the year— meaning the site is set to become one of the largest lithium operations globally in LCE terms. “We will also see the three new hard rock mines that started up last year ramp-up,” Wood Mackenzie said.
“Additional tonnages are also due from Brazil with the ramp-up of AMG’s and Signum Lithium’s projects there.”
Last year, Australia’s Association of Mining and Exploration Companies called on the federal government to declare battery minerals processing an “industry priority”— and use tax breaks and other incentives to entice global industry giants to the country to kick-start a domestic battery industry.
