After the government issued a press conference yesterday (January 18, 2024) by Ms. Radclaw Inthawong Sowankiri, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office. The statement said, based on information from the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, Thailand conducted a survey and found (resources). Lithium oreMore than 14,800,000 million tons (million tons: metric tons), making Thailand the country that has discovered the third largest amount of these minerals in the world after Bolivia. And Argentina, most recently today (January 19, 2024) the Department of Primary Industries and Mines came out to clarify that it is inaccurate information, but the existing minerals still have a chance for further development.
From the press release that a lithium source has been found in Thailand. It is a hard rock mineral resource in the Ruang Kiat District, Takwa Thong District, Phang Nga Province, adjacent to the Ruang Kiat Lithium Field. There is a geological amount of mineral resources (mineral resources) of approximately 14.8 million tons with an average lithium oxide grade of 0.45% or lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) of approximately 164,500 tons. If the mining layout is designed appropriately and the minerals can be mined, 25% of lithium is expected to be used as a raw material to produce lithium-ion batteries for at least one million 50 kWh electric vehicles.
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines would like to clarify that the term mineral wealth means the geological quantity of mineral resources. This is different from the word lithium resource which refers to the quantity of lithium metal resources, thus comparing the geological data of mineral resources with the quantity of lithium metal resources in foreign countries. Therefore, it may be a misunderstanding that Thailand has the largest amount of lithium ore in the world.
As for the type of mineral found in Thailand at the present time, it is the mineral lepidolite, which is found in pegmatite rocks. The average abundance of lithium, or grade of lithium oxide, is 0.45%, although the abundance is not very high. But it is considered richer than many lithium deposits around the world. It is possible to develop ore processing technology where such perfection is worthwhile. Furthermore, lithium ore is associated with other mineral resources. In particular, it is tin and other rare earth elements. Thailand was an important exporter of tin in the past. Therefore, it is possible that additional lithium deposits may be found if future exploration is conducted.
Currently, there are people who have obtained special licenses to explore 3 lithium blocks in Phang Nga Province. There is an application for a license to explore lithium in other provinces such as Ratchaburi Province and Yala Province.
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines will accelerate the exploration of lithium and rare earth minerals. Providing Thailand with basic information for lithium mining. To serve as a production base for lithium-ion batteries for the electric vehicle industry in the region.
Academics point out that the information was incorrect from the beginning.
Academic aspect Prof. Dr. Jesada Dinduangpurivan Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Science posted a message on Facebook In conclusion, it is exactly as I said. In Thailand, we surveyed and found minerals that did contain lithium. But the quantity is not so large that it is said to be No. 3 in the world, as can be mentioned in the press release. It has been approved by the Ministry of Mineral Industry.
(Some postsProf. Dr. Jesada) beforeProf. Dr. Jesada He posted Subject: “Thailand found mineral deposits containing lithium. That's true, but it shouldn't be the third largest in the world,” he said, noting that I think journalists may have misunderstood it because the 14.8 million tons figure is in the news. This third largest amount in the world is the amount of a mineral rock called pegmatite which contains on average 0.45% lithium alloyed and must be smelted to extract the lithium first. When calculated roughly, it should range between 6 and 70 thousand tons.
#If I miscalculated or misunderstood something please help come, share and explain to me. According to the details of the news, it is mentioned that the Department of Primary Industries and Mines (Department of Primary Industries and Mines) issued special licenses for 3 plots of land to explore lithium fields. In the area of Takwa Thong District, Phang Nga Province, a very rough white igneous rock or “pegmatite” is found which is the source rock that brings the purple “lepidolite” or mineral containing lithium. Come to cool and crystallize. This has led to two potential sources of lithium, namely the “Ruangkiat Field” with a reserve of approximately 14.8 million tons, average lithium oxide grade of 0.45% (medium grade), and the “Bang I Tum Field” which is currently undergoing detailed individual exploration. To evaluate reserves / It can also be found in many other places. In the southern and western regions (Ratchaburi Province) issued lithium exploration licenses for 6 cases.
The news report also claimed that this famous lithium source is a source of lithium ore. No. 3 in the world after Bolivia and Argentina / If you obtain a mining license (in the next two years), you are expected to be able to start mining. Lithium can be used as a raw material to produce lithium-ion batteries for at least one million 50-kWh electric cars.
Which when compared to one electric car, the Tesla Model S, uses lithium for batteries weighing about 62.6 kg (reference https://blog.evbox.com/ev-battery-weight) If there were 1 million cars, they would use 62.6 million kilograms of lithium, or 62,600 tons, that's all!
This figure of 62,600,000 tons is close to the amount of lithium calculated from pegmatite rocks. From the Ruangkiat field, the volume is about 14.8 million tons and the average grade of lithium oxide is 0.45%, which is equivalent to 0.0666 million tons of lithium or 66.6 thousand tons!
Now, if we take the figure of 66.6 thousand tons as an indicator, Thailand currently has an amount of lithium to be produced from pegmatide rocks. Compare with data on lithium resources from other countries around the world at USGS or USGS. It was last estimated in 2023, and it can be seen that it is still far behind the other top ten countries.
Worldwide there are approximately 98 million tons of lithium resources, with South America being the continent with the largest amount of this resource. In descending order: Bolivia 21 million tons; Argentina 20 million tons; America 12 million tons; Chile 11 million tons; Australia 7.9 million tons; China 6.8 million tons; Germany 3.2 million tons; Congo 3 million tons; Canada 2.9 million tons; Mexico 1.7 million tons; Czech Republic 1.3 million tons; Serbia 1.2 million tons; Russia 1 million tons; Peru 880,000 tons; Mali 840,000 tons; Brazil 730,000 tons; Zimbabwe 690,000 tons; Spain 320,000 tons; Portugal 270,000 tons; Namibia 230,000 tons; Ghana 180,000 tons; Finland 68,000 tons; Austria 60,000 tons; Kazakhstan 50,000 tons (from https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodi…/mcs2023/mcs2023-lithium.pdf)
** If you look at the ranking of countries, in fact, it is not the country that has the largest amount of lithium metal deposits. Like Bolivia and Argentina too, but back to Australia.
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