Can Africa develop an integrated lithium supply chain for batteries?

In this report, we summarise the potential for developing an integrated lithium supply chain for batteries in Africa. Lithium is a moderately abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and is predominantly concentrated into three types of mineral deposit: pegmatites and granites; sedimentary deposits; and brines (Bowell et al., 2020).

Where do lithium batteries come from?

This report will focus specifically on lithium. Global supply chains of lithium for batteries are currently dominated by sources in South America, Australia and China, with processing and manufacturing of the battery compounds and components focused in China, Japan and South Korea (Grant et al., 2020; Sun et al., 2019).

Why is energy security important in the lithium supply chain?

Energy security. Lithium mineral processing is highly energy intensive, and so secure energy supplies are essential for industrial engagement in the lithium supply chain. Many African countries already have energy demand that is greater than available supply, leading to concerns over energy security (Alemzero et al., 2021). Environmental impacts.

What is lithium supply chain?

This report focuses specifically on lithium, one of the major battery raw materials, for which demand is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades. Lithium supply chains are complex and commonly global in their extent, with steps that include exploration, mining, processing, manufacturing, use and recycling.

What minerals are found in lithium batteries?

The most important ore mineral for lithium batteries is spodumene, for which cracking and refining processes are well established. Other lithium ore minerals include petalite, lepidolite and amblygonite. Other important minerals found in pegmatites include pollucite (mined for caesium), columbite-tantalite (tantalum) and cassiterite (tin).