Because of its specific heat capacity, the highest of all solids, lithium is often used in heat transfer applications. It is an important ingredient in anode materials, used in rechargeable and primary batteries because of its high electrochemical potential, light weight, and high current density.

Of particular importance is the rapid move by auto manufacturers across the world towards hybrid and electric powered cars. This significant change in the car industry is expected to lead to a dramatic increase in demand for lithium as a supply for batteries and other lightweight components of cars.

Lithium is often found in hard rock pegmatites as spodumene or in Lake Brines within evaporate basins. Lithium can also occur as natural lithium carbonate in a mineral known as Zabuyelite – which is found in Lake Zabuye in Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau. Lake Zabuye is reportedly the second highest grade lithium brine in the world. A new lithium source that was also discovered by Rio Tinto in Serbia is Jadarite – a mineral with a chemical composition which is remarkably similar to the mythical Kryptonite.

Hard rock lithium sources include Greenbushes and Cattlin Creek in Western Australia. Brines however currently account for the majority of world supply with Bolivia and neighbouring Argentina and Chile also containing significant lithium brines.

Lithium brines tend to require the following criteria for their development:

• A source for the lithium, often surrounding volcanic rocks;
• A medium for the transport of lithium – e.g. groundwater, thermal springs and rivers; and
• Concentration of lithium by evaporation of water in an enclosed evaporate basin.

Figure 1: Lithium Carbonate Price
(Source: Galaxy Resources Limited)