Largest lithium reserves are found in the salar region in South America, Australia, and China. Other regions with significant reserves are Zimbabwe, Canada, United States, Portugal and other parts of Europe.

Lithium is typically extracted from brine aquifers using evaporation ponds, or from spodumene ore using conventional mining techniques. The lithium concentration at the source varies, affecting the process design, energy and chemical use at each facility.

Varying lithium concentration at the source effects the overall impacts from production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH.H2O), a key input in several battery chemistries.