Latest figures show mineral production driven by demand for electric vehicles

Global production of lithium has seen a sharp increase of 235 per cent in five years, according to the latest figures now published in World Mineral Production 2014-2018 (WMP) by BGS.

The latest version of the WMP, available to download on the Minerals UK website, sets out production figures by country for more than 70 mineral commodities over the five-year period from 2014 to 2018. The BGS has published these data annually, since 1913.

Updated figures show mineral production being driven by the growing demand for electric vehicles, with the largest global increases for commodities used to manufacture batteries, including the production of lithium (25 per cent), cobalt (18 per cent), graphite and nickel (both 13 per cent).

Scientists at the BGS say the figures for lithium are “particularly significant” as it follows a major increase in production between 2016 and 2017. This has been driven by a substantial contribution from production in Australia, as well as Canada, Chile, Zimbabwe and China. Namibia and Nigeria have also added to new production.

The latest statistical data on minerals production in the UK has also been made available this week by the BGS, with its publication of the UK Minerals Yearbook 2019.

An annual publication, the yearbook offers essential information about the production, consumption and trade of UK minerals, and industry updates primarily intended to inform key decision makers.

The UK produces around 200 million tonnes of minerals each year, which contributes directly to our construction, agriculture, energy and manufacturing, construction sectors.

Most notable are the increase in the value of sand and gravel, worth £902 million to the UK economy in 2018, compared to £555 million in 2012.

Production of crushed rock has risen from a historic low in 2009 of 91 103 000 tonnes to 126 600 000 tonnes in 2017, reflecting the gradual recovery in the construction sector and the wider UK economy.

Iron, steel and coal production have dropped in the last five years.

There is continuing interest and concern surrounding the worldwide security of supply of certain minerals. Indications suggest that materials use is projected to more than double by 2060, with metals expected to grow the fastest.

It’s critically important that we understand the pressure this will place on the environment, global economies and future gains in well-being. BGS research is evolving to address this challenge, and increasingly our focus is on improving understanding of stocks and flows of raw materials, such as cobalt and lithium, which are essential to decarbonise our future energy and transport systems.

Dr Karen Hanghøj, BGS Director.

Andrew Bloodworth, BGS Science Director for Policy, Decarbonisation and Resource Management stressed that BGS will continue to work with European partners on several minerals-related research projects in the coming months.

Although metals are an essential component of decarbonisation technologies, their production is currently carbon intensive.

This has led BGS to develop an interest in understanding how sustainable and responsible supply of metals from primary and secondary sources can be improved, and what policies or approaches will be most effective in implementing change.

Andrew Bloodworth, BGS Science Director for Policy, Decarbonisation and Resource Management.

 

Both the World Mineral Production 2014-2018 and the UK Minerals Yearbook 2019 are available to view on the Minerals UK website.