I spoke with D. Khashbat, a professor at the School of Geology and Mining Engineering at the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Senior Advisor at Critical Minerals Mongolia LLC about the current state of research, resources, opportunities, and prospects for lithium in Mongolia.
What is the most recent estimate of Mongolia's lithium reserves?
Relatively little lithium research has been conducted in Mongolia. However, in recent years, research in this area has become more active due to the rising use and demand for lithium. Several projects with domestic and foreign investment are currently being implemented in lithium exploration and research. Consequently, Mongolia's lithium resources are expected to increase. In 2019, while preparing a presentation for the international conference celebrating the 80th anniversary of the National Geological Survey, an effort was made to consolidate data on the types of lithium deposits and the amount of lithium resources in Mongolia using an open database. This involved utilizing reports stored at the Geological Information Center. At that time, lithium oxide (Li2O) resources were estimated to be over 650,000 tonnes. Over the past year, newly identified deposits and occurrences have increased this estimate to over 680,000 tonnes.
Lithium resources have been identified along the Mongolian border and in nearby areas, suggesting a probable increase in the country's reserves.
Reports indicate the discovery of new lithium deposits in Mongolia. Is it possible to increase these resources in the future?
Recent geological research has led to the discovery of four deposits and 13-14 occurrences of lithium. Among these, one deposit and five occurrences are newly identified. With technological mineral raw materials (critical minerals) gaining global interest, Mongolia is also experiencing increased research activity in battery raw materials, particularly lithium. As a researcher, I am very optimistic about the future prospects of lithium in Mongolia. The geological structures that contain world-class deposits in the Russian Federation to the north and China to the south extend into our western, northern, and eastern regions. Therefore, by employing scientific and modern methods in our research, it is quite possible to increase our lithium resources. This could position Mongolia to compete regionally, if not globally.
Overall, how does lithium research in our country compare to research on other minerals? How does Mongolian lithium differ from that in other countries?
In Mongolia, lithium research has been relatively weak compared to other industrial minerals. For other minerals, the number of deposits ranges from tens to hundreds, and occurrences are from hundreds to thousands, while for lithium, there are only a few. However, as mentioned earlier, research in this area has become more active in recent years. Considering the characteristics of our deposits, silicate mineralization related to "hard rock" lithium or pegmatoid and rare metal granitoid is seen as more promising. Nonetheless, a project focused on "brine" or lake-type lithium salt is also being implemented. It is still too early to predict the future outcomes. Four lithium deposits registered and explored in our country are of the silicate type. As a researcher, I consider salt deposits to have low potential due to unfavorable weather conditions. For instance, the "Golden Triangle" in South America has a hot and dry climate, secondly China's salt deposits are at altitudes over 2,500 meters. Both conditions favor salt deposits. However, in our country, evaporation is relatively low, and annual precipitation is much higher. Despite these challenges, we are still exploring salttype projects.
Are the investors currently involved in lithium exploration companies domestic or foreign?
According to my research, several domestic companies are actively exploring lithium, alongside foreign-invested companies. Additionally, a national company is preparing for listing on the international stock exchange. Research on critical minerals, particularly battery raw materials, necessitates the use of advanced modern methods, emphasizing the importance of involving multiple participants. It's crucial for decision-makers and policymakers to recognize that a stable legal environment is essential for both foreign and domestic investors.
With international demand for lithium as a raw material for renewable energy battery storage expected to keep rising. However, battery development is underway using other raw materials such as sodium and zinc. In light of this, will our lithium still garner attention?
In today's era of rapid green development, energy transition, and technological advancement, the demand for lithium is soaring, given its pivotal role as the primary technology for electricity storage. Lithium, the third lightest metal in the periodic table, is highly chemically active, readily shedding its outer shell electrons. It is very easy to turn and pick up. For this reason, it is used to store electrical charges. From watts to gigawatts, which are widely used in our applications, electric charge storage has been used in industry. Previously, lithium was used as a raw material for ceramics, oil refining, and fuel, but since 2009, it has been widely used in batteries. In industry, two primary types of lithium are employed: silicate and phosphate, with carbonate occasionally present. However, technologies for processing and enriching certain lithium types remain underdeveloped. According to a 2021 study by the United States Geological Survey, global lithium resources associated with silicates are estimated at approximately 10 million tonnes, 25 million tonnes for salt-related lithium, and 40 million tonnes of pure lithium combined with other types. Predominantly, silicate reserves are concentrated in Russia, China, Australia, Canada, and select African nations. Salt form lithium reserves, comprising 80% of the world's total, are concentrated in South America's Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, collectively known as the "lithium golden triangle," with significant resources also found in parts of China. Other lithium types, such as those found in clay deposits, have relatively low content, limiting mining opportunities. Globally, the usage of lithium batteries surged from 5,400 tonnes in 2010 to over 68,000 tonnes in 2021, reflecting a substantial increase in demand. Projections for 2022 indicate a demand of 720,000 tonnes, with forecasts for 2030 reaching 3,000,000 tonnes, while the estimated supply stands at 1,640,000 tonnes. This surge in demand underscores the potential for increased attention to the lithium industry in Mongolia. However, the extent of this attention hinges on various factors, notably the policies pursued in the critical minerals sector. While international research seeks alternatives to lithium batteries, these efforts remain largely confined to laboratory experimentation. It will likely take time before such research translates into practical applications. Presently, lithium batteries represent the most technologically viable option. This is exemplified by the groundbreaking work of three scientists who, in the 1970s, discovered the electrochemical properties of lithium-ion batteries, leading to subsequent developments and widespread adoption, recognized with the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Advanced technology is vital for maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. Therefore, how rapidly is international mining and processing technology advancing?
The evolution of the mineral resources industry is the culmination of years of scientific research. While geology and mining inherently impact the environment, a primary objective of sustainable development is to minimize this impact, striving to extract and process mineral raw materials with minimal waste. Despite challenges such as curfews during the COVID period, international scientists have continued their research fervently, often jokingly referring to themselves as "imprisoned in their laboratories." This dedication is evident from recent scientific articles published in international journals. These efforts have yielded significant progress in lithium minerals processing technology. Many minerals containing lithium can now be enriched and processed, including those previously considered insignificant, thus becoming industrially important and efficient. Consequently, the outlook for further lithium research has expanded considerably. It's crucial to formulate a clear policy outlining how Mongolia can engage in the global critical minerals market, amid competition from countries and regions determined to leverage advancements in mineral resources development.
Thank you for the interview.
Mining Insight Magazine, June 2024 №6 (031)
