【出版时间及名称】：2010年2月中国锂电池行业研究报告
        【作者】：元大京华
        【文件格式】：pdf
        【页数】：25
        【目录或简介】：
China Alternative Energy
Finding Lithium - The Fuel of Future
Lithium, no other metal is 1) as lightweight, 2) better at holding a
charge, or 3) as good at dissipating heat. These properties make
lithium the best substance known for manufacturing electric car
batteries (lithium-ion batteries). In 2008, batteries accounted for 25%
of lithium usage globally, and we expect demand for lithium from the
battery segment to grow at a minimum 16% CAGR over the next five
years.
Lithium Carbonate: Mining a future fuel
Lithium carbonate is the most important raw material for Lithium-Ion
batteries; however, lithium production has not been able to keep up
with demand. Lithium carbonate comes from two major sources: hard
rock mineral deposits, such as spodumene, and lithium-rich salt lake
brines. Lithium carbonate production is dominated by a few companies.
In 2008, SQM, ROC and FCM accounted for around 90% of brine
production and 60% of the total lithium market, while Talison Minerals
out of Australia controls of 70% of mineral production.
Extraction from Minerals: Lithium carbonate is traditionally processed
from lithium-rich minerals, such as spodumene. The cost of
production is in the range of US$4,300-4,800/ton.
Extraction from Brine: Since 1997, lithium carbonate extraction has
moved from mineral sources to economic brines taken from salt lakes
in Chile and Argentina, owing to significantly low production costs,
ranging from $2,200-2,600/ton. Lithium concentration in brine starts
at 160ppm and goes up to over 1,500 ppm (Salar de Atacama, Chile).
Lithium Mining in China: A technological hurdle
The major hurdles for China’s lithium mining industry lie in production
cost and purity. Although China is one of the largest lithium producers
in the world, most of its lithium products are only good enough as
feed stock for industry use, such as glass ceramics, aluminum, and
agrochemical. China is still not able to mass produce high grade
lithium carbonate for battery use at a competitive cost.
China mines lithium from two sources: minerals and brine. Although
minerals mining still accounts for a significant portion of China’s
lithium production. Lithium brines are the largest lithium resource in
China, containing 80% of the country’s reserves. Production from brine
deposits was reported for the first time in 2003, but a desirable purity
is still not being achieved. Lithium carbonate plants using brine from
the Qinghai and Tibet Salt Lakes are currently under development.