As South Korea imports 97 percent of its energy and mineral resources, a strong move to secure a reliable lithium supply adds to the existing wave of Asian companies developing projects in the lithium rich salt lakes in the north of Argentina.
The world’s largest lithium producer has indicated interest in the salar concessions for Salares Lithium, resulting in the conversion of over 39,000 Ha of concessions that cover the aerial extent of the brine lake from the current 'exploration' concessions to 'exploitation' concessions.
Driving strong demand for lithium battery adoption, a resent report has been published that suggests hybrid and electric cars may grab as much as 10 percent of the European automobile market by 2020.
With more than 22 million electric bikes sold in China last year, the demand for lithium ion battery technology is under potential threat as increased transportation regulations would increase ownership costs and reduce the demands for domestic electric bicycle use.
President Obama aims to have one million electric cars on US roads by 2015, but the road ahead is clearly still pothole ridden. His short trip to China ensured the green signal for the US-China Electric Vehicles Initiative, all set to ensure lithium as the next break out investment.
As the push towards cleaner, more renewable energy sources like solar and wind power systems intensifies, the energy storage industry is expected to grow as well. Li-ion batteries are already being looked at as a possible option for utilities energy storage.
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