Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri
Two rich lithium deposits have been found in Phang-nga province, with potential for use in the production lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, Deputy Government Spokesperson Radklao Inthawong Suwankiri said today.
Citing the information from the Department of Primary Industries and Mines, she said that the deposits have been found in two places, Ruangkiet and Bang E-thum, in Phang-nga province. They are estimated to contain about 14.8 billion tonnes of lithium, potentially making Thailand the world’s third largest source of the element, after Bolivia and Argentina.
In addition to lithium, large sodium deposits have been found the north-eastern region, she said, adding that the discovery of major deposits of the two natural elements, which are necessary for the production of lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, will help to boost Thailand’s competitiveness in the production of EVs and batteries and will reduce its dependence on imports.
Global demand for lithium is estimated to double next year and up to over than two million tonnes in 2030, said Radklao.