What is lithium used for and what is its importance?
For a few years now, lithium has been implemented in the development of several products that have spread in the daily use of most people on the planet.
Its most common application, according to the RSC, is in the manufacture of batteries for cell phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.
Yes, you are most likely holding some lithium in your hands right now.
Lithium, in alloy with aluminum and magnesium, strengthens the resistance of these last two elements, while making them lighter. Magnesium and lithium alloys are used, for example, in bulletproof vests and armor. While lithium and aluminum alloys have applications in aeronautics, the manufacture of bicycles and the assembly of high-speed trains.
As if that were not enough, lithium oxide is used to make glasses and certain ceramic products, while lithium chloride is present in air conditioners and industrial drying systems.
An additional and extremely important application for lithium is in the pharmaceutical industry. Given its electrical signal conduction properties, this mineral is present in some medications for the treatment of manic-depressive disorders and episodes of mania.
Due to the above, lithium has become a highly coveted mineral due to the explosion in demand for several of the aforementioned products.
Australia is currently the largest producer of lithium and three companies, Ganfeng, SQM and Albermarle dominate the supply.