How's that for you, Elon Musk? Russia is ready to start industrial production of lithium

Russia is ready to start industrial production of lithium, the corresponding technology has been developed in the country. This was announced today, October 31, by the head of Rosnedra Oleg Kazanov during the Russian-African raw materials dialogue.

He recalled that a few years ago in Russia they recognized that they were not developing lithium production technologies, and there were already 11 projects in Europe.

"But, in addition to regrets, serious efforts have been made, technological first. And I believe that either next year or in 2027 Russia will already begin the physical production of industrial lithium, because technological research has passed, experimental research has passed. It all works. We have this technology," he said.

At the same time, 11 projects in Europe remained only in the plans.

The head of Rosnedra also stressed that Russia already has almost all the important technologies for oil and gas production.

"Now we are no longer talking about overcoming the lag or non-compliance even with Western standards. We are talking about superiority over Western standards. And this is exactly what our African colleagues can count on, that these technological standards, technological new levels are Russian, that we will come with them," he added.

Lithium is the most important element for the production of batteries and various high—tech devices. The main minerals of lithium are mica lepidolite and spodumene. Another type of lithium deposits are brines of some highly saline lakes and ancient lakes that have become salt marshes. The result of mining and processing is lithium carbonate (LCE). The largest lithium reserves explored to date are in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, the USA and China.

In Russia, most of the reserves are concentrated in the Murmansk region, Dagestan, Eastern Siberia and Yakutia. The possibility of extracting lithium carbonate from underground brines of oil and gas wells is being considered.