Thailand Adjusts Lithium Discovery Announcement After Initial Claim

A recent announcement by a Thai official regarding the discovery of significant lithium deposits in southern Thailand has undergone clarification. Initially touted as the world’s third-largest lithium reserves after Bolivia and Argentina, the subsequent statement by the deputy government spokesperson clarified that the ore contains only 0.45% lithium. Despite the adjustment, this concentration is deemed sufficient to produce one million batteries with a 50-kilowatt-hour capacity.

The lithium deposits were identified at two locations in the scenic southern province of Phang Nga. The estimated lithium content at one site is approximately 14.8 million tonnes, while the other location is still under survey. This marks Thailand’s first discovery of lithium deposits, and the government highlights the simultaneous discovery of large sodium deposits in the country’s northeast—a valuable resource for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

However, skepticism arose following the initial announcement, with Thai experts on social media expressing doubts about the ore’s quality and emphasizing the need for further research to determine its suitability for commercial production.

The demand for lithium has surged globally, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. In 2022, global lithium production grew by 21% to 130,000 tonnes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Thailand is actively positioning itself in the electric vehicle industry, aiming to attract investments from major overseas manufacturers. Great Wall Motor recently announced becoming the first Chinese automaker to manufacture EVs in Thailand. Additionally, Toyota Motor, Honda Motor, and two other Japanese automakers revealed plans to invest a total of 150 billion baht ($4.22 billion) in Thailand over the next five years for local EV production.

The correction in the lithium discovery announcement emphasizes the need for ongoing research and evaluation to ascertain the commercial viability of the identified deposits.

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