Minerals Institute discovers lithium deposits in Korea

[Courtesy of The Korea Institute of Geology, Mining, and Materials]

The Korea Institute of Geology, Mining, and Materials (KIGAM) announced on Thursday that a significant level of lithium deposits have been found in South Korea, including Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, and Danyang, North Chungcheong Province.

This is the first time lithium presence has been confirmed in the country.

The institute presented these findings at a press conference in Seoul, detailing the results of its exploration of promising lithium deposits in the country.

Since 2020, KIGAM has been investigating 12 potential lithium sites in Korea, conducting field geological surveys and three-dimensional (3D) geological modeling at locations such as Wangpiri in Uljin, and Oejungbang-ri, Buksang-ri, and Hoesan-ri in Danyang.

The analysis identified viable lithium deposits in Uljin and Danyang.

“We analyzed two newly discovered deposits located 1 kilometer northwest of Boam Mine in Uljin, which showed lithium grades ranging from 0.3 to 1.5 percent,” the research team said. “The lithium grades in the Danyang deposits ranged from 0.01 to 0.5 percent.”

The grade represents the concentration of lithium in the mineral.

KIGAM emphasized that this exploration is significant as it identifies the potential for developing a domestic supply chain for lithium and other critical minerals, which Korea has traditionally relied on imports.

China’s minimum grade for lithium mine development is 0.02 percent lithium oxide. The Danyang deposits do not meet this minimum threshold.

The low lithium content and challenging drilling conditions mean that development prospects remain uncertain.

To confirm lithium deposits for practical development, drilling would need to reach depths of up to 300 meters.

Local companies also hold mining rights to all 12 rock-type deposits, including those in Uljin and Danyang, making development prospects challenging.