Top 10 Lithium Producing Countries 2026

Excluding U.S. production, worldwide lithium production in 2025 increased by 31% to approximately 290,000 tons from 222,000 tons in 2024 , driven by surging demand from electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. This ranking examines the world's leading lithium producers as the battery minerals sector enters a critical phase of supply expansion.

Key Statistics

Rankings

1. Australia

In 2025, Australia was the world leader in terms of lithium mine production, with an estimated output of 92,000 metric tons , according to data published by the U.S. Geological Survey in February 2026. Australia's lithium output is expected to rebound in 2026, with production projected to grow by 6% to reach 120,300t , according to Mining Technology analysis published in March 2026.

Key Data (Source: USGS MCS 2026, Mining Technology):

• 2025 production: 92,000 metric tons
• 2026 projected production: 120,300 metric tons
• Primary extraction method: Hard-rock spodumene mining

Australia accounts for around 40% of global lithium output in 2024

Australia has one of the biggest lithium reserves, and is the biggest producer of lithium by weight, with most of its production coming from mines in Western Australia. The world's largest hard-rock lithium mine, the Greenbushes mine, is in Western Australia . A major contributor to 2026 growth will be the Kathleen Valley project, which completed its phased transition from open-pit mining to a fully underground operation on 21 December 2025, along with continued expansion activities at the established Greenbushes lithium operations and the Pilgangoora project .

2. Chile

Chile ranked second in 2025, with lithium production totaling 56,000 metric tons , according to USGS data. Chile produced an estimated 64,100 tonnes of lithium in 2025, and output is projected to rise 4.9% to 67,300 tonnes in 2026 , according to Mining Technology analysis.

Key Data (Source: USGS MCS 2026, Mining Technology):

• 2025 production: 56,000-64,100 metric tons (estimates vary by source)
• 2026 projected production: 67,300 metric tons
• Primary extraction method: Brine extraction from Salar de Atacama

Chile is the world's second-largest lithium producer after Australia

Production increased by an estimated 10.1% to 64,100 tonnes (t) in 2025, driven by higher supply from SQM's Salar de Atacama operations amid ongoing capacity expansion . SQM and Albemarle are the only two companies producing lithium in the country, underscoring Chile's highly concentrated production landscape . Chile's production comes entirely from brine operations in the Atacama Desert, offering significantly lower extraction costs than hard-rock mining.

3. China

China ranked third in 2025, with lithium production totaling 62,000 metric tons , according to USGS data published in February 2026. China produced 62,000 metric tons of lithium in 2025 .

Key Data (Source: USGS MCS 2026, SlashGear):

• 2025 production: 62,000 metric tons
• Extraction methods: Brine operations in Qinghai province, hard-rock lepidolite mining

China processes 65%+ of global lithium. In 2025, China processed 320 Thousand Tonnes LCE while world total was 465 Thousand Tonnes LCE

While China ranks third in mine production, China domestically produced approximately 18% (33,000 short tons) of the world's mined lithium in 2023, and Chinese companies control 25% of the world's lithium mining capacity . China's dominance extends far beyond mining: China processes over 90% of the world's graphite, and in 2022, Chinese companies accounted for over two-thirds of the world's cobalt and lithium processing capacity .

4. Argentina

Argentina has emerged as a major lithium producer, with production concentrated in the "Lithium Triangle" region spanning Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. Lithium carbonate production totaled approximately 9,660 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026 at the Cauchari-Olaroz operation, with the Company reiterating its production 2026 guidance of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate for this single major project.

Key Data (Source: Lithium Argentina SEC Filings, Thunder Said Energy):

Argentina accounts for approximately 10% of global lithium production

• Primary extraction method: Brine extraction from salt flats
• Major projects: Cauchari-Olaroz, with Stage 2 expansion planned

Lithium was a notable exception, with a major portion of supply growth coming from emerging producers like Argentina and Zimbabwe

Argentina's production comes primarily from brine operations in the Puna region. Significant revisions were made to the 2024 production for Argentina based on company reports , reflecting the rapid expansion of operations in the country.

5. Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has rapidly emerged as Africa's leading lithium producer. The country accounted for nearly 10% of global lithium production in 2025 . Bikita's production is forecast to be 66.5kt LCE in 2026, thereby making it Africa's largest lithium-producing mine .

Key Data (Source: Boston University GDP Center, SEC Filings):

• 2025 market share: ~10% of global production

Zimbabwe's forecast 2026 production of approximately 124,000 tonnes LCE represented roughly 7% of projected global supply

• Major mines: Bikita (largest), Arcadia

Zimbabwe was among the countries contributing to the remainder of global supply in 2024

In early 2026 Zimbabwe suspended exports of raw lithium concentrate, with a full ban on unprocessed shipments due from January 2027 , as the government pushes for local processing and value addition.

6. Brazil

Brazil's lithium production has grown significantly with the development of hard-rock spodumene projects. Sigma's Grota do Cirlio spodumene project in Brazil, is expected to ramp up in 2024 after starting operations in 2023. This project is forecasted to have its Phase 2 expansion operational by 2026, adding 67kt LCE of capacity .

Key Data (Source: SEC Filings, USGS):

Brazil has 1.4 million tons of lithium reserves

• Primary extraction method: Hard-rock spodumene mining
• Major project: Grota do Cirlio with Phase 2 expansion in 2026

Brazil contributed to global lithium supply in 2024

Brazil represents an important source of supply diversification outside the traditional Australia-Chile-China concentration.

7. United States

Commercial-scale lithium production in the United States was from a continental brine operation in Nevada. Domestic production data were withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data . As of 2026, the nation only has one active lithium mine in Silver Peak, Nevada, which produced around 1,000 metric tons of lithium in 2025 .

Key Data (Source: USGS MCS 2026, SlashGear):

• 2025 production: ~1,000 metric tons (from Silver Peak mine)

There is only one Lithium mine in the United States, located in Nevada. It is reported to produce 5,000 tonnes of Lithium per year (capacity)

The U.S. has 4.4 million metric tons in reserve

There is a second mine under construction in Nevada as of mid-2025. The Thacker Pass Lithium Mine received its permits in 2022 , which is expected to become a major production source when operational.

8. Canada

According to the Energy Institute, Canada and all unlisted countries combined produced 3,600 tons of Lithium in 2023, for 1.8% of the global total. External sources place Canada's production at 3,400 tons .

Key Data (Source: Energy Institute, USGS):

• 2023 production: ~3,400-3,600 metric tons

Canada has 8.1 million tons of lithium reserves

Future growth is concentrated in Argentina, Australia, the US and Canada

Canada's lithium sector is in early-stage development with significant reserves and multiple projects in the pipeline.

9. Mali

Significant revisions were made to the 2024 production for Mali based on two new operations started in 2024 . Mali has 1.2 million tons of lithium reserves .

Key Data (Source: USGS MCS 2026):

• New operations commenced in 2024
• Reserves: 1.2 million tons

Conflict-related disruptions in Mali are constraining West African lithium output from projects in early development phases

Mali represents an emerging African producer, though production faces challenges from regional instability.

10. Other Emerging Producers

Several countries are developing lithium production capacity, including:

• Congo (Kinshasa): 3 million tons of lithium reserves

• Mexico: 1.7 million tons of lithium reserves

• Czechia: 1.3 million tons of lithium reserves

• Serbia: 1.2 million tons of lithium reserves

Other countries with reported reserves include Austria, Congo (Kinshasa), Czechia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mali, Namibia, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zimbabwe .

Complete Rankings Table

*Estimated based on market share data

Data Sources & Methodology

This article uses data exclusively from the following verified sources:

1. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) - Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, published February 5, 2026
2. Mining Technology (GlobalData) - Australia and Chile lithium production analysis, March-April 2026
3. Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy 2025
4. Thunder Said Energy - Global lithium production database, updated November 13, 2025
5. Lithium Argentina AG - SEC Form 6-K filings, Q1 2026
6. International Energy Agency (IEA) - Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025
7. Boston University Global Development Policy Center - Zimbabwe lithium analysis, March 2026
8. Company SEC Filings - Albemarle, Sayona Mining production data

Data Limitations:

U.S. domestic production data were withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data

• Production figures vary between sources due to different measurement methodologies (lithium content vs. lithium carbonate equivalent)
• Some countries report mine production while others report refined product

Significant revisions were made to the 2024 production for Argentina based on company reports and for Mali based on two new operations started in 2024. Reserves for Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, the United States, and Zimbabwe were revised based on company and Government reports

• 2026 figures are projections based on announced capacity and company guidance

Last Verified: July 15, 2026

Market Context

Excluding U.S. production, worldwide lithium production in 2025 increased by 31% to approximately 290,000 tons from 222,000 tons in 2024 in response to strong demand from the lithium-ion battery market, high lithium prices from 2021 to early 2023, and an increase in global lithium production capacity. Global consumption of lithium in 2025 was estimated to be 263,000 tons, a 20% increase from consumption of 220,000 tons in 2024 .

Lithium demand rose by nearly 30% in 2024, significantly exceeding the 10% annual growth rate seen in the 2010s , according to the IEA. Global end uses were estimated as follows: batteries, 88%; ceramics and glass, 4%; lubricating greases, 2%; air treatment, 1%; continuous casting mold flux powders, 1%; medical, 1%; and other uses, 3% .

The market experienced significant price volatility. Concern about a short-term lithium oversupply kept prices low during the first half of 2025. However, considerable EV sales growth in China and Europe and increased demand for battery energy storage systems contributed to lithium price increases during the second half of 2025. Spot lithium carbonate prices in China increased from approximately $9,300 per ton in January to approximately $10,300 per ton in November. For fixed contracts, the annual average U.S. lithium carbonate price was $9,000 per ton in 2025, a decrease of 31% from that in 2024 .

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Australia lead in lithium production despite Chile having larger reserves?

Australia is currently the largest lithium producer in the world. However, the largest lithium reserves, around 9 million tons, are located in Chile. These are not yet being accessed as they could be, so Australia leads the world in production . Australia's advantage comes from hard-rock spodumene mining, which can be scaled more rapidly than brine extraction, though brine operations typically have lower costs.

What role does China play in the lithium supply chain?

China processes 65%+ of global lithium. In 2025, China processed 320 Thousand Tonnes LCE while world total was 465 Thousand Tonnes LCE . For copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements, the average market share of the top three refining nations rose to 86% in 2024 from around 82% in 2020, with almost all supply growth coming from the single top supplier: Indonesia for nickel, and China for all others .

Is there enough lithium to meet future demand?

Owing to continuing exploration, measured and indicated lithium resources have increased substantially worldwide and total about 150 million tons . There are generally no signs of shortages in the amount of available resources: despite continued production growth over the past decades, economically viable reserves have been increasing for many energy transition minerals. For example, lithium reserves increased by 40% between 2011 and 2019, while production expanded almost three times . The challenge is not geological availability but the speed of converting resources into production capacity.

How is the lithium market expected to evolve?

There is spare capacity in 2026, especially from Australian mine projects, but the current project pipeline suggests a 20-30% market deficit in 2030-35. Global lithium production is seen at 260kTpa in 2025, on a pure lithium basis . The USGS expects global lithium production capacity to double by 2029 on increasing demand .

This article contains only verified data from official sources. Statistics are current as of the dates noted. All production figures represent lithium content unless otherwise specified. For corrections or updates, contact editorial@stakeandpaper.com.