As the world races towards a sustainable energy future, lithium, a crucial element in battery technology, has emerged as a key factor.
Brazil, with its vast mineral resources, is positioning itself at the forefront of this industry with its ‘Lithium Valley’, located in the state of Minas Gerais. This region, rich in lithium deposits, holds the promise of transforming Brazil into a significant player in the global lithium market. However, the challenge lies in ensuring that lithium extraction and processing are sustainable and environmentally friendly.The significance of the Lithium Valley initiativeThe Lithium Valley initiative in Brazil, specifically in the state of Minas Gerais, is an unprecedented collaborative effort marking the future of a more sustainable source of lithium and is bringing several compelling ESG topics to the fore.Economic transformationOnce known as ‘Misery Valley’, the Jequitinhonha Valley is experiencing a remarkable turnaround due to the discovery and mining of lithium. This change is opening new economic opportunities and driving development, offering a brighter future for the local communities, with better jobs, increased trade, and enhanced services in the region. According to the Brazilian Geological Service, the majority of the nation’s 45 identified hard rock lithium deposits are in this region. This wealth of resources is drawing interest from numerous mining companies eager to capitalise on the potential of Lithium Valley.Investment opportunitiesThe influx of investment is proof of the region’s potential. Companies like Sigma Lithium have established what is now the fourth-largest lithium mining complex in the world. Meanwhile, other companies, such as Latin Resources, are on the verge of completing significant projects, underscoring the region’s growing promise.Global impactAs the global demand for lithium increases, driven by its critical role in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage, Brazil is positioning itself as a key player in the international critical minerals market. The strategic importance of this initiative cannot be overstated.The Lithium Valley initiative is remarkable for its potential to drive economic transformation, leverage resource abundance, utilise existing infrastructure and expertise, exert a global impact, and attract substantial investments. This initiative heralds a promising future for Brazil in the rapidly expanding global lithium market.Challenges in lithium productionThe need for high-quality spodumene concentrate has surged since 2020, driven by the importance of lithium and lithium-ion batteries in portable devices and electric vehicles (EVs).As manufacturers compete for dominance in the EV market, the demand for lithium is expected to rise sharply. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts an increase in total lithium demand from an estimated 22 000 t in 2020 to 164 000 t in 2030, and 276 000 t in 2040, considering Stated Policies Scenarios. For a Sustainable Development Scenario, the numbers are higher – 383 000 and 1.063 million t for 2030 and 2040, respectively. With supply unable to meet demand, lithium prices are likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. This highlights the need to address the issue of mafic basalt contamination, a common problem in lithium mines. This high-iron, non-productive material, which has a similar density to spodumene, is also concentrated by dense medium separation (DMS), leading to contamination of the end product. However, with sensor-based ore sorting technology, such as TOMRA’s, it is possible to extract value from this contaminated material and produce a high-purity product.Enjoyed what you’ve read so far? Read the rest of the article and the June Issue of Global Mining Review by registering today for free!
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