Lithium: the ‘white gold’ of our renewable future

 

Dubbed the “white gold” of the future because of its vital role in the development of electric vehicles, lithium is a unique metal with many interesting properties. Learn how it is used, where it is mined and what the future holds for this unique metal.

Unique properties;

Pure lithium is very soft and can be sliced ​​with a butter knife. It is the lightest metal and the least dense of all metals, making it buoyant in water. Lithium, which has a glossy grey appearance, glows bright red when thrown into a fire. This surprising reaction led Brazilian mineralogist Jozé Bonifácio de Andralda e Silva to discover the first lithium paralite in the 1790s on the Swedish island of Uto. It wasn't until 1855 that someone completely separated the metals. British chemist Augustus Matthiessen and German chemist Robert Bunsen separated the elements by passing an electric current through lithium chloride. Lithium, modestly named after the Greek word for "stone," lithos, has become one of the most important commodities of our future.

A variety of uses

What do batteries, mental health and fireworks all have in common? They can all be improved by lithium.

It`s safe to say the era of electric vehicles is upon us, with predictions that two-thirds of Australians will be driving electric cars by 2028. Lithium batteries are strongly favoured in the electric vehicle industry, offering double the capacity of non-lithium batteries, in addition to
faster-charging capabilities, longer life and a safer and lighter alternative to other metals. Continued improvements to lithium-ion batteries mean they are likely to continue dominating the market: they are now 30 times cheaper, and far more efficient, than when they first came to market in the early 1990s as small portable batteries. In addition to electric vehicles, lithium batteries are used extensively for portable electronic devices, such as computers, mobile phones and rechargeable power tools.

Supply and demand;

The world is leaning heavily on this important metal to support our future. Where is it mined and is there enough supply to meet demand? Lithium comprises a mere 0.0007 per cent of the earth`s crust and is not found in its elemental form but rather produced by electrolysis of ores, making its mining of it a difficult process. Chile has the largest reserves of lithium in the world by a wide margin, measuring 9.2 million metric tons in 2021. Australia ranks second, with reserves of around 5.7 million metric tons and Argentina came in third with 2.2 million metric tons in 2021. Australia is second in reserves, but with an estimated production of 55,000 tonnes in 2021, Australia led the world in lithium mining production.

For now, lithium has a bright future in Australia. Surging demand, driven primarily by the use of lithium batteries, plus an abundant supply and adequate infrastructure in place to mine this resource means Australia is well placed to reap the benefits of lithium over the next decade or so. However, like all metals, lithium resources are not infinite. According to estimates, we may run out of the metal as early as 2040 or as late as 2100. Hopefully, by that time, we have found other sources of renewable energy or developed the technology to recycle lithium batteries. Either way, lithium is an important stepping stone, or lithos, on our journey to a renewable future.