Lithium is already white gold, and it’s not a so-called cliché. Electric cars are increasing their influence on the electronic market, and in an era in which consumerism has led to the digitization of everything, having the best materials is synonymous with wealth. While black gold is living its last years as a protagonist of the global energy diet, clinging to the enormous needs of humanity, lithium and other minerals increase in value, more and more. And the prices are soaring. Nickel and copper, in particular, are elements whose demand is very high. the first reached its highest value in ten years (22,745 dollars), the second returned above the psychological threshold of 10,000 dollars per ton. Tin, aluminum and zinc are also record breaking or in fibrillation.
However, it is always lithium that tickles the battery industry the most. All countries are trying to enter this great race. Although, for geographical and political reasons, only a few will be able to aspire to a medal position. That, of course, is a game for adults: China, United States, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Russia, India. Chile can play its part. But also in Europe something is moving. THEn Sweden there is Northvolt now fully operational; in Serbia, in Gornje Nedeljice, the Rio Tinto company plans to build the largest lithium mine in Europe. No.
“In Serbia the project comes up against the opposition of the population, fearful of the environmental effects of mining and skeptical about the ability of the authorities to enforce the rules. Supported by Novak Djokovicinstigated by the Russian channel RT, civil society organizations take it out on the EU. Who does not participate in the initiative, but is still accused of neo-colonialism and environmental dumping, crimes of which the Chinese company that manages the copper basin in Bor is more likely to be stained. Rio Tinto argues that the Jadar mine can produce 58,000 tons of lithium carbonate a year, enough to power more than 1 million electric cars“, We read in the Sole 24 Ore.
Lithium has a geographically very diverse production base. The main players are Australia (where it is made from rocks), Argentina, Chile and China. In Bolivia there are reserves of 86 million tons. In Europe it seems that German reserves are abundant, but studies and surveys indicate great possibilities in Portugal, Finland, Ireland as well.. There are other strands in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Congo.
And in Italy? Currently copper Weighs more than lithium. But in general, there is no great demand, because until the first gigafactories are born, production will remain low-level. According to a document from Ispra, dated November 2020 and entitled “the mineral deposits for batteries in Italy“, Lithium minerals are well known in the LCT pegmatites of Elba and Giglio islands, but there are no mining exploits. “The best known and most widespread mineral is Elbaite, a cyclosilicate from the Tourmaline group, widespread in the San Pietro in Campo area where crystals of Lepidolite, the main lithium mineral, have also been found.“, it is read. Enrichments are also reported in the fluvial sediments in basins set mainly on the Macigno and on the Scagliose Clays of the Southern Tuscany, and in the Racines valley near Vipiteno in South Tyrol. There are also graphite and cobalt, in particular in Piedmont: these are mines already exploited but without using today’s techniques: they could reopen, but the road to convince the local populations could be uphill.
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