Two large lithium deposits with high grades have been discovered in Phangnga province in southern Thailand.
Two large lithium deposits with higher lithium content than many other key deposits in the world have been discovered in the southern Thai province of Phang-nga, the Bangkok Post reported, citing a statement from a Thai geochemistry expert.
Lithium, previously a fairly inconspicuous element in the periodic table, has become a veritable “gold metal” in an era of technological advancement. Lithium deposits are gaining strategic importance and becoming an integral part of the global economy as lithium becomes a key component in the production of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, portable devices and energy storage.
Lithium sites in the southern province are two of the world’s richest lithium deposits, said petrology and geochemistry expert from Chulalongkorn University Prof Alongkot Phanka. According to the expert, the average lithium content in Phangng is about 0.45 per cent, which is considered better than in other parts of the world.
Lithium deposits are formed by the crystallisation of magma in the earth’s crust and are associated with granite, which is often found in the south, Prof Alongkot said, adding that lithium deposits in Phangng are also linked to tin deposits in the area.
The professor’s findings support the Ministry of Industry’s statement that Thailand’s lithium deposits have good potential for the government’s plan to turn the country into a manufacturing centre for electric cars and their parts.
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines has issued a lithium exploration licence for three sites in Thakua Thung district, Phangnga province, said Aditad Wasinonta, acting deputy director-general of the department.
One of the explored sites, Ruangkiat, has found deposits of at least 14.8 million tonnes of lithium with 0.45 per cent lithium oxide content, higher than other explored deposits in the world. Another area called Bang Etu is being evaluated for lithium deposits,” Aditad said.
The discovery of the lithium deposit supports the government’s ambitious plan to turn Thailand into a manufacturing centre for electric cars and their parts. If granted a lithium mining licence, the Ruangkiat site alone could supply at least one million electric vehicles using 50kWh lithium batteries, Aditad believes.
“As the government is trying to attract new electric vehicle manufacturers to open production bases in Thailand, the discovery of lithium sources will help make the government’s offer more favourable,” Aditad said.
The department is speeding up the lithium exploration process and hopes to issue new lithium mining licences as soon as possible, Aditad added.
In the meantime, lithium deposits require the development of technologies that can mine the metal in an environmentally and socially friendly manner. Challenges in mining, such as high water consumption and impact on the local ecosystem, raise the need for a sustainable approach to resource utilisation.
Nevertheless, despite the challenges, lithium deposits remain key assets in an era where energy and technology are becoming dominant factors in the global economy. The transition to clean energy and electric mobility is increasing the need for lithium, making deposits more valuable.
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