The Thai government is pushing for lithium exploration in new areas and is revising regulations to enable private firms to undertake studies on agricultural land. The country aims to convert about 30% of its annual vehicle production into EVs by 2030. The Thai lithium deposits under exploration are found within lepidolite minerals, which differs from Australian mines that typically produce lithium from spodumene and Chilean projects that extract the metal from brine. Establishing a mine and a 10,000-tonnes-per-annum lithium conversion plant in Thailand would require an investment of about USD 180 million to USD 250 million.
Key takeaways:
- Thailand is aiming to start producing lithium from a mine in its southwest in about two years, aligning with its ambitions to become a regional hub for electric vehicles (EV).
- Miner Pan Asia Metals is preparing to submit mining licenses for the Reung Kiet project in Thailand's Phang-Nga province, with hopes to start lithium chemical production by early 2026.
- The Thai government is pushing for lithium exploration in new areas, including revising regulations to enable private firms to undertake studies on agricultural land.
- Establishing a mine and a 10,000-tonnes-per-annum lithium conversion plant in Thailand would require an investment of about USD 180 million to USD 250 million.