Mining
Lithium supply chain
Brine vs hard-rock routes, conversion bottlenecks, and the battery-grade refining race.
Curated sector reports
Lithium supply chain
Mining·⚠ Brine concentration & hydroxide conversion
Key chokepoints (4)
Lithium brine extraction
⚠ active chokepoint
Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia hold the majority of low-cost brine resources; permitting and water rights constrain expansion.
Related tickers: SQM, ALB
Direct lithium extraction (DLE)
⚠ active chokepoint
Commercial DLE capacity remains limited; reagent and resin supply is concentrated.
Lithium hydroxide conversion
⚠ active chokepoint
China dominates spodumene conversion; Western refinery build-out lags mine supply.
Water & renewable power
⚠ active chokepoint
Arid salars face community and regulatory pressure on water use.