Global lithium production 2023

The world's mine production of lithium reached a new high of 180,000 metric tons in 2023. This represented a significant increase from 2010, when global lithium production stood at about 28,100 metric tons.

Lithium: a useful and elusive element

The chemical element lithium has many uses but is most notably used in batteries, mental health treatment, and in pyrotechnics. This silvery-white alkali metal was first isolated in 1855 by Augustus Mattiessen and Robert Bunsen. Lithium is widely present worldwide, but due to its high reactivity it does not naturally occur in its elemental form. Chile and Australia have the largest lithium reserves in the world.

Lithium producers

There are several key players involved in the lucrative global lithium mining business. Based on market capitalization, Albemarle was the leading lithium producing company in 2022. Looking to the future, lithium producers have a strong outlook, as the total worldwide lithium demand is expected to increase significantly in the coming years.

Mine production of lithium worldwide from 2010 to 2023 (in metric tons of lithium content)

Characteristic	Production in metric tons of lithium content
2023*	180,000
2022	146,000
2021	107,000
2020	82,500
2019	86,000
2018	95,000
2017	69,000
2016	38,000
2015	31,500
2014	31,700
2013	34,000
2012	35,000
2011	34,100
2010	28,100

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Release date

January 2024

More information

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2010 to 2023

Supplementary notes

* Estimate
Data is rounded and excludes U.S. production figures, which has been withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
This statistic was assembled using several editions of the report.

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