An increase in the use of lithium around the world is helping to bring the Czech Republic’s mining traditions back to life, with demand for the metal – which is used in electric batteries – expected to triple over the next ten years.
The light metal is already used in smartphone batteries and is forecast to become more heavily used in electric storage systems and electric cars, the Associated Press reports.
In fact, predictions for increased use of the metal is already seeing the fortunes of a small village on the Czech border with Germany turn around. The local tin and tungsten mines were abandoned back in 1991 but recent explorations have excitingly revealed the biggest lithium deposit in Europe.
European Metals Holdings, an Australian company, has held an exclusive licence to explore these resources, with managing director Keith Coughlan saying that there are now plans afoot to open a mine in the village to produce more than 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate a year.
“I believe it is a danger for Europe to continue to think that it can rely on Asia for its supply chain of battery-related materials and in particular lithium. I think it is a very significant asset from a European perspective,” he said.
A similar story is currently going on over in Nevada. Traditionally, the majority of lithium has been mined in the likes of Chile, Argentina, Australia and China, but according to a Bloomberg report, prospectors are now looking to the US and the Silver State’s Clayton Valley, which is apparently rich in dissolved lithium.
Call the Thermograde team today to find out more about lithium titanate.