1. Albemarle Corporation
The USA-based Albemarle Corporation, indisputably, holds the top position amongst the biggest lithium-mining companies of 2024. With its operations rooted in every continent except Antarctica, this globe-spanning company essentially has a hand in every lithium pot. Their endeavors encompass lithium extraction, refinement, and sales, ensuring a self-contained, streamlined operation. Albemarle’s most prominent assets are set in the world’s lithium mine hotspots: Australia, Chile, and China. It extracts lithium from both brine (saltwater) and hard rock, making full use of the available geographical resources. To further its sustainability contribution, the company is also focusing on enhancing battery-grade lithium production efficiency.
2. SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera)
SQM, based in Chile, solidifies its standing as a renowned lithium-mining giant through its extensive reserves in the Atacama Desert, known to be one of the planet’s richest lithium deposits. SQM’s approach to lithium extraction is fundamentally environmental-friendly, using solar evaporation to separate lithium from the brine. Moreover, amid the rising global lithium demand, SQM is planning significant expansions to bolster its production capacity and strengthen its position in the lithium industry.
3. Ganfeng Lithium
Ganfeng Lithium, a Chinese lithium mining company, has witnessed a meteoric rise to the third spot in the list of the world’s largest lithium-mining companies. The company’s growth is majorly driven by its strategic partnerships with leading automotive manufacturers and robust adoption of electric vehicles (EV). Ganfeng’s main operations involve lithium exploration, extraction, processing, and sales, with an impressive production output from its lithium resources in China, Australia, and Argentina.
4. Livent Corporation
The USA-based Livent has firmly established its name on the lithium map with its niche focus on the production of performance lithium compounds. This particular lineup includes lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, and lithium specialties. Livent’s lithium originates from the Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina—an area known for its pure lithium-rich brines. The company prides itself on leveraging advanced lithium technologies and sustainable extraction methods, maintaining a responsible balance between industrial progress and environmental preservation.
5. Tianqi Lithium
Tianqi Lithium, another Chinese juggernaut, has a significant global presence in the lithium industry. This enterprise exploits lithium resources from two main avenues: hard-rock mining in Australia (Talison Lithium) and brine extraction in Tibet and Chile. As a part of its diversification strategy, Tianqi always keeps its production line extended beyond lithium carbonates and lithium hydroxide to high-quality lithium metal.
6. Orocobre Ltd.
Orocobre Ltd., the Australian-Argentinian venture, is making a name for itself among the world’s largest lithium producers. This dual-based firm primarily extracts lithium from its rich brine resources located within the Salar de Olaroz in Argentina, one of the largest and purest lithium reserves worldwide. The company’s transparent extraction process and commitment to environmental sustainability have greatly enhanced its industry reputation.
7. Lithium Americas
Rounding out our list is Lithium Americas, a Canada-based firm with key focuses on Argentina and the United States. One of its main assets is the Thacker Pass project in Nevada, which is slated to be one of the largest and lowest-cost lithium operations in the world. Their second major development is the Cauchari-Olaroz project in Argentina, a joint venture with Ganfeng Lithium. Lithium Americas’ focus is not only on lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, but they are also paving the way in lithium clay research and extraction, adding another layer to their lithium production strategy.
These seven companies, each in their regions and through their unique extraction techniques, continue to shape the lithium-mining industry in 2024. Meeting the rising demand for lithium, each company is pioneering advancements in extraction, efficiency, sustainability, and the evolution of the lithium sector.
