Without lithium compounds, it would be difficult for humans to conquer the seabed or space.
The Rise of Lithium
In a 2020 report, Goldman Sachs stated that Lithium carbonate compounds made from Lithium have economic and political value comparable to that of gasoline fuel in the 20th century.
With large charging capacity and extended lifespan, lithium batteries are increasingly seen as a “life-changing” technology for a number of industries. Experts define Li-ion batteries as “the market leader in portable electronic devices”.
Without lithium compounds, it would be difficult for humans to conquer the seabed or space. Lithium peroxide compounds are used in air-cleaning systems on submarines and manned spacecraft. In nuclear power, lithium is used in the manufacture of reactor coolants.
Li-ion batteries are used a lot in a wide range of mobile devices.
Not only that, lithium is also a key component of batteries for electric vehicles and is dubbed the “new gas source” for the future. Scientists consider lithium as a potential rocket fuel. When igniting a compound containing lithium, up to 1000 Kcal of energy is released, while ordinary kerosene produces only 2 Kcal. For that reason, lithium compounds are expected to be excellent oxidizers of rocket fuel.
Lithium also appears in the military industry for many reasons. First, lithium-ion batteries can store large amounts of power in a small device. This will help countries produce devices of small size or increase the amount of energy available with the same size. Then, the military tends to develop devices that use energy, while currently only batteries can meet the need.
Lithium is also applied in many high-tech industries such as metallurgy, aerospace, chemicals, energy… In the world, only a few countries have lithium ore resources, led by Bolivia. , Chile, Argentina, China, Australia… This metal exists mainly in two types of mines, namely rock ore and sea salt deposits.
Prospect of lithium resources in Vietnam
In Vietnam, the investigation and assessment results of the Central Central Region Geological Federation from 2005 to 2009 discovered that lithium ore resources in La Vi and Quang Ngai regions include 40 ore bodies, mineralized bodies, mainly The pegmatoite vasculature contains the metal lithium and tin. The results of exploration, search and evaluation have determined that the lithium ore reserve of La Vi mine area, Quang Ngai province is about 1.0 million tons of ore or about 10,000 tons of Li2O.
Photo: Luca Galuzzi
According to the assessment, this reserve belongs to the type of mine with lithium ore reserves at an average level compared to the world. This is an important mineral potential for Vietnam to join the group of countries with the potential to develop the lithium ore mining and processing industry.
Reserves and resource forecasts are as follows:
Level 122 reserves for lithium are 7,071 tons of Li2O, and tin is 1,939 tons of Sn;
Level 333 resources for lithium are 2,574 tons of Li2O, tin is 2,874 tons of Sn.
According to the Vietnam Department of Geology and Minerals, this reserve can put Vietnam on the list of countries with lithium ore in the world, eligible for mining and processing lithium ore.
In addition to lithium, it is possible to mine the accompanying tin which greatly increases the value of the mine.
However, this is a type of mineral that Vietnam has not yet explored. The level of research and references is still limited, so it is necessary to invest in geological research and exploitation technology. serve domestic and world needs, to bring economic efficiency to the country.
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