Over half of the world's lithium reserves are located in Chile, according to BP's Statistical Review of World Energy 2019 report.
Chile holds 57.5% of global lithium reserves amounting to 8 million tonnes.
Lithium is a crucial input for storage technologies used in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage and other electronic devices.
Australia is home to the second largest lithium reserves in the world with 2.7 million tonnes, followed by Argentina with 1 million tonnes and China with 1 million tonnes of lithium underground.
Global lithium reserves is at 13.9 million tonnes as of end of 2018.
- Australia tops global lithium production list
Last year global lithium production rose by 17.6% to 61,800 tonnes, compared to 2017.
In 2018, Australia produced the most lithium in the world. The country's production reached 27,200 tonnes, accounting for 44% of global output.
Chile ranked second with 16,000 tonnes of lithium production.
Despite being home to the largest lithium reserves in the world, output is not as high in Chile due to backlash from environmental groups.
Although lithium is used in clean energy technologies, lithium mining is not as environmentally friendly. The method of lithium mining results in the loss of large amounts of water. Companies and scientists are looking into better options of extracting lithium such as using chemical processes.
China and Argentina followed with 8,000 tonnes and 6,200 tonnes respectively. Last year, Zimbabwe produced 1,600 tonnes of lithium, up by 100% from 2017 levels.
Meanwhile, Brazil became the country to increase its lithium output the most in the world. The country produced 600 tonnes of lithium up by 200% from 2017.
By Zeynep Beyza Kilic
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr