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LITHIUM
(Data in metric tons, lithium content, unless otherwise specified)
Domestic Production and Use: Commercial-scale lithium production in the United States was from a continental brine operation in Nevada. Owing to lower lithium prices in 2024, commercial production from the brine-sourced waste tailings of a Utah-based magnesium producer was idled. Two companies produced a wide range of downstream lithium compounds in the United States from domestic or imported lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, and lithium hydroxide. Domestic production data were withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data.
Although lithium uses vary by location, global end uses were estimated as follows: batteries, 87%; ceramics and glass, 5%; lubricating greases, 2%; air treatment, 1%; continuous casting mold flux powders, 1%; medical, 1%; and other uses, 3%. Lithium consumption for batteries increased significantly owing to the use of rechargeable lithium batteries in the growing market for electric vehicles (EVs), portable electronic devices, electric tools, and energy grid storage applications. Lithium minerals were used directly as mineral concentrates in ceramics and glass applications.
| Salient Statistics—United States: | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production | W | W | W | W | W |
| Imports for consumption | 2,460 | 2,640 | 3,260 | 3,390 | 3,300 |
| Exports | 1,200 | 1,870 | 2,440 | 1,960 | 1,700 |
| Consumption, apparent1 | W | W | W | W | W |
| Price, annual average-real, battery-grade lithium carbonate, | 10,100 | 14,200 | 71,100 | 41,300 | 14,000 |
| dollars per metric ton2 | |||||
| Employment, mine and mill, number | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
| Net import reliance3as a percentage of apparent consumption | >50 | >25 | >25 | >50 | >50 |
Recycling: Construction of lithium battery recycling plants continued throughout 2024. Automobile companies and battery recyclers partnered to supply the automobile industry with a source of battery materials. In October, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $44.8 million in funding from the U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for eight projects that will help lower EV battery recycling costs, with the long-term goal of lowering vehicle costs.
Import Sources (2020–23): Chile, 50%; Argentina, 47%; and other, 3%.