THE RUSSIAN LITHIUM MARKET: RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RUSSIAN ENERGY SECTOR

Issue № 12, 2025, article № 9, pages 68-83

Section:

Language: Russian

Original language title: РОССИЙСКИЙ РЫНОК ЛИТИЯ: РИСКИ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ДЛЯ ЭНЕРГЕТИКИ РОССИИ

Keywords: BATTERIES, LITHIUM HYDROXIDE, HYDROMINERAL BRINES, GLOBAL AND RUSSIAN MARKET, LITHIUM RESERVES, LITHIUM CARBONATE, DEPOSITS, ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES, BRINE MINING METHOD, ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS, LITHIUM PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION, SPODUMENE, UNDERGROUND MINING METHOD, ELECTRIC TRANSPORT

Abstract: The study is devoted to the analysis of the Russian lithium market. The characteristics of the mineral resource base and the assessment of lithium raw material reserves in ore and hydromineral deposits in the Russia are given. Foreign trade operations with lithium are analyzed, based on which a conclusion is made about the almost complete dependence of domestic lithium producers on the supply of imported raw materials. A comparative assessment of the cost of lithium production by shaft and brine methods in Russia and competitor countries is given. Promising projects for the extraction and processing of lithium are described, and the characteristics of the measures of state support applied in this area are given. The underdevelopment of second-stage production in the form of enterprises for the production of individual elements for energy storage devices (anodes, cathodes, electrolyte) is noted. An overview of lithium consumption in Russia and the main consumer enterprises producing lithium batteries and energy storage systems based on them is made. Based on the consideration of trends in the global lithium market and the parameters of projects implemented in the country, the prospects for the development of production and consumption of lithium and finished products manufactured on its basis are presented. It is noted that in modern conditions, the creation of a complete production chain for the production of lithium products in Russia is becoming a necessary condition for ensuring national security and technological sovereignty of the country, creating a basis for increasing the role of the state in the world market of strategic products.

Authors: Avarskii Nabi Dalgatovich, Bogachev Aleksandr Ivanovich, Osipov Andrei Nikolaevich, Silko Elena Anatolevna