Critical Mineral
Lithium
The light metal that powers heavy lifting.
Lithium is the backbone of modern rechargeable batteries. It shuttles between cathode and anode, enabling high energy density in a compact format for EVs, grid storage, defense systems, and portable electronics.
Role in the battery value chain
- Carrier of charge in almost every lithium-ion chemistry, from LFP to high-nickel NMC and NCA.
- Enables high energy density, making long-range EVs and compact energy storage possible.
- Critical for high-performance batteries in defense, aerospace, and secure communications.
From ore to battery-grade material
Lithium is produced from hard-rock deposits and brines. After mining or pumping, it is concentrated, chemically processed, and refined into battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide. These compounds feed cathode precursor plants, where they are combined with metals like iron, nickel, manganese, and cobalt to form active materials that can be coated onto current collectors in cell factories.
National security & resilience
Secure access to lithium is now a strategic requirement for the United States. Without domestic and allied supplies of lithium and refining capacity, the pace of EV deployment, grid storage build-out, and modernization of defense systems is vulnerable to external disruption.
Environmental & community considerations
Responsible lithium projects focus on water management, community engagement, and land restoration. Recycling reduces the pressure on new mining by recovering lithium from end-of-life batteries and returning it to the value chain.
The American Battery connects lithium to the full lithium-ion value chain—from mining and refining through active materials, cells, packs, and recycling—so that policymakers, partners, and citizens can see how this element supports American energy security.