Industrial Minerals


LSM12: Production costs will determine project survival

25 January 2012

by Siobhan Lismore

Delegates in Argentina exchange terse words following supply outlooks

Keywords: lithium, batteries, electric vehicles, brine, SignumBOX

The cost of production will be the difference between success and failure for lithium brine projects expected to come on stream in the coming years, according to the SignumBOX consultancy.

Global lithium capacity stands at around 200,000 tpa of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), but that is expected to grow significantly as more players join the market.

"We don't know which particular producer will provide the extra production... [or be] the most competitive, but...