Tianqi Lithium Boosts Lithium Salts Output Despite Lower Spodumene Production

Tianqi Lithium

Tianqi Lithium increased chemical lithium output in 2024, balancing weaker spodumene concentrate production from its Australian operations.

Lithium Chemical Production Surges at Anju Facility

Chinese producer Tianqi Lithium reported a 39% increase in lithium salts output in 2024, reaching 70,715 tonnes. This includes lithium carbonate, hydroxide, chloride, and metal produced across China and Australia. The ramp-up at the Anju factory in Sichuan province drove most of the increase, bringing the company’s global chemical capacity to 91,600 t/yr.

Meanwhile, Tianqi canceled phase two of its Kwinana lithium hydroxide plant in Australia due to economic concerns. The first phase, with 24,000 t/yr capacity, remains in operation. Tianqi aims to reach 122,600 t/yr in future chemical capacity.

Spodumene Output Falls, but Resources Remain Strong

In contrast, spodumene concentrate output fell by 7.4% to 1.41 million tonnes at the Greenbushes mine in Australia. Tianqi and IGO’s joint venture owns 51% of Greenbushes, with Albemarle holding the other 49%. Despite the dip, Greenbushes remains the world’s largest and lowest-cost hard rock lithium mine.

Tianqi plans to start production at a 520,000 t/yr Plant 3 project in October 2025, aiming to expand its spodumene processing capabilities.

Meanwhile, Greenbushes’ total lithium resources held steady at 440 million tonnes, or 16 million tonnes LCE. However, proven reserves dipped to 8.1 million tonnes LCE from 8.5 million the year before.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Tianqi Lithium’s focus on ramping up downstream capacity shows a strategic pivot toward value-added products. While mining volumes fluctuate, control over refining capacity secures margin stability amid global lithium price volatility.