As the use of electric vehicles grows exponentially around the world, the demand for lithium has also increased significantly. Lithium is a key component in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicle manufacturers depend heavily on it to power these vehicles. One of the best sources of lithium is through mining companies.
Mining companies have been at the forefront of supplying the world with lithium. Lithium production is estimated to grow 35% by 2023 from current levels, making it an attractive investment. In this article, we will be looking at seven of the biggest lithium mining companies that are set to play a major role in the industry in 2023.
1. Albemarle Corporation: Albemarle Corporation is the largest lithium producer in the world. It has operations spread across five countries and has the world’s biggest known reserves of lithium. In 2020, the company recorded revenue of $5.84 billion.
2. Tianqi Lithium Industries Inc.: Tianqi Lithium Industries Inc. is a Chinese mining company that stands out for its operations in Australia and Chile. It is the biggest supplier of lithium to the Asian market, and it has the biggest lithium mine in China. In 2020, the company recorded revenue of $3.76 billion.
3. SQM: SQM is a Chilean based mining company that has operations across three countries. It is the world’s second-largest lithium carbonate supplier, and is credited as a major supplier to China and other Asian countries. SQM recorded a revenue of $3.16 billion in 2020.
4. Ganfeng Lithium Co: Ganfeng Lithium Co is a Chinese mining company that specializes in the manufacture and sale of lithium products. It is one of only a few China based companies that are involved in the mining process and supplies some of the world’s biggest electric vehicle manufacturers. In 2020, it recorded a revenue of $1.75 billion.
5. Livent Corporation: Livent Corporation is a Philadelphia-based company that supplies lithium to the auto, chemical, and energy industries. It is the world’s fourth-biggest producer of lithium hydroxide, and it is credited as one of the main suppliers for EV batteries and cathodes. In 2020, its revenue was $1.32 billion.
6. Orocobre Ltd: Orocobre Ltd is an Australian based lithium producer that is known for its operations in Argentina. It is the world’s first salt lake based lithium producer and is one of the leading lithium producers in South America. Its 2020 revenue was $376 million.
7. Neometals Ltd: Neometals Ltd is a mining company based in Australia that specializes in nickel and lithium. It is known for its lithium project in Western Australia, and it supplies to the Chinese and Asian markets. In 2020, its revenue was $123 million.
These seven companies are expected to be the biggest players in the mining industry in the years ahead. Each of these operate in different countries, and it is expected that with the continued growth and reigniting of the EV market, lithium demand is only going to increase. As such, these companies are expected to benefit from this growth in the upcoming years.