The Korea Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) has announced that it has discovered a lithium deposit in Kazakhstan following testing in 2023. According to a report by The Korea Times on March 5th, the institute plans to develop this deposit.
Lithium is one of the most important minerals for the electric vehicle industry, as it is a key component in their batteries — along with elements like nickel, manganese, cobalt, aluminum and copper.
At the recent International Primary Minerals Forum in Seoul, KIGAM announced that the lithium deposit was discovered over a 1.6 square kilometer area of pegmatites in eastern Kazakhstan. It added that tantalum had previously been mined at this site.
Tantalum is usually found together with lithium and cesium, so KIGAM has been exploring the area since May last year at the request of the Kazakh government.
According to information provided by KIGAM, citing Kazakh forecasts, resources worth $15.7bn are buried in the area. KIGAM plans to apply for a drilling survey in the area next year with a Korean company to begin mining the lithium. The details of that Korean company weren’t made public, The Korea Times reported.
