Spain hosts notable lithium mineralizations in Galicia, Castilla y León and Extremadura, yet no active extraction has occurred since 2011. Its economic weight and the risk of supply disruption prompt a critical choice: steward these resources responsibly and reduce heavy dependence on imports, or leave reserves idle and continue sourcing lithium from other producers at terms set by the global market.
What is lithium and why is it so important?
Lithium, a chemical element in the alkali metal group, is the lightest and least dense metal in solid form at room temperature, with a density of about 0.53 g/cm³. It has the highest electrochemical potential and excels in electrical and thermal conductivity among metals. Because of its high reactivity, lithium does not occur as a native metal; it appears in seawater and brines as chloride and in minerals such as silicates and phosphates.
The physicochemical traits of lithium make it difficult to replace and essential for many industrial applications.
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Concentrates of lithium are used in the glass and ceramic industry and in continuous steel casting.
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Metallic lithium finds use in metallurgy and in the creation of alloys with aluminum.
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Lithium carbonate is employed in the pharmacological treatment of bipolar disorder, depression and other conditions.
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Lithium hydroxide is a key component in lubricant manufacture and is also used to purify air and remove CO2 from environments.
These last two compounds are increasingly utilized in the production of rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices.
Global lithium landscape
Australia stands as the largest producer and exporter of lithium concentrates derived from hard rock silicates. Chile and Argentina dominate the extraction of lithium carbonate from salt flats.
China remains a major player, both as a large importer and as a dominant force in refining and battery production worldwide.
In the European Union, dependence on metal concentrates is high, with only Portugal sustaining a stable local supply. The EU relies on imports for refined lithium compounds, and while recycling of lithium-ion batteries is increasing, large-scale industrial recycling is not yet economically viable.
The combination of strategic importance, supply risk and the centralized control of production by certain countries has spurred interest in European deposits and the development of regional strategies to access available resources.
Recent assessments indicate thousands of tonnes of declared resources within the EU, spanning several member states. Mineral resource data evolve with ongoing exploration, and values depend on market conditions and technical progress.
Lithium in Spain
Spain shows substantial Li mineralizations in Galicia, Castilla y León and Extremadura, often linked to granitic bodies such as pegmatites and also in hydrothermal veins and metasomatically altered rocks.
Lithium occurs in silicate minerals like spodumene, petalite, lepidolite and zinwaldite, as well as in phosphates of the amblionite-montebrasite group.
Since 2011, there has been no active lithium extraction in Spain. The last production came from Mina Feli in La Fregeneda, Salamanca, a pegmatitic deposit with feldspar and lepidolite. Data from the operating company indicate around 8,000 tonnes of ore containing 0.5% Li2O in 2010, with lepidolite routed toward the ceramics sector in Castellón.
Although no mines are currently active, recent years have seen significant resource and reserve estimates and exploration projects for lithium. Some projects also explore refining lithium hydroxide, a refined form that Spain does not yet produce domestically.
If Spain could mobilize domestic mining resources alongside existing electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities, the country could cultivate a complete electric mobility value chain. The European Commission has already underscored the strategic importance of lithium projects for automotive development.
There is ongoing debate about environmental protection and local impact, balanced against a growing need for critical minerals. Spain, like many EU partners, operates strict mining regulations that require projects to meet economic, social, cultural and environmental standards before any operation begins.
Recycling and reuse will play a vital role, but mining remains necessary to meet current demand.
A national choice awaits: use resources responsibly to reduce imports or keep deposits idle and continue purchasing essential materials from other producers at prevailing global prices.
Reference article: https://theconversation.com/oro-blanco-en-espana-donde-hay-litio-y-por-que-no-hay-minas-activas-170599
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Susana Mª Timón Sanchez is a senior scientist in the Geological Resources Department for the Ecological Transition at the Spanish Institute of Geology and Mining.
Contact address omitted for privacy.
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