Join CSA Global Principal Consultant-Battery Metals, Michael Cronwright when he presents on “A review of the lithium market and summary of lithium deposits” at the upcoming Geological Society of South Africa; African Exploration and Technology Showcase 2022 between 17-18 November in Johanessburg, South Africa.
This two day webinar aims to provide an opportunity for professionals in the industry to be informed about new African exploration projects and current developments and will be chaired by CSA Global Manger of Africa, Sifiso Siwela.
The event provides an opportunity to learn more about deposits that could potentially add significant economic value to the continent’s pipeline and feature presenters from major and junior mining companies, including large consulting companies to independents.
Abstract
As the move to electric vehicles and the low carbon economy transition continues to gain traction to mitigate CO2 emissions, lithium demand is set to double from 2022 levels in the next three years and treble by 2030. Coupled with a supply deficit forecast from this year, as evidenced by the elevated lithium prices, there is a risk that the Li-ion battery charge may be slowed.
Consequently, there is much interest in the exploration sector, both in traditional spodumene, brine Li-deposits, and non-conventional lithium sources. Currently, Li-clays, geothermal brines, and non-spodumene-bearing pegmatite-hosted Li-mineralisation are not part of the global lithium supply chain but represent a significant future lithium source.
Traditional spodumene-bearing pegmatite and brine-hosted lithium deposits remain critical to meeting the short to medium-term lithium demand so that the CO2 reduction commitments and targets are met.
Australia is currently the largest supplier of lithium (spodumene concentrates from pegmatite hosted Li-deposits) to the global market and is set to remain a key supplier for the foreseeable future. From now on, the rest of the world, including Africa, has a critical role in meeting future supply.
Meet Our Chair
Sifiso Siwela
Manager – Africa
Sifiso is a geologist with 17 years’ experience in evaluation of mineral projects globally. His expertise includes exploration strategy design, exploration management, geological modelling, Mineral Resource estimation, Competent Persons reporting, technical reviews, and mineral asset valuation. Sifiso has global mineral project experience, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, and is a Competent/Qualified Person for various commodities and deposit styles according to respective reporting codes. He possesses management consulting experience focussing on digitalisation strategy, as well as business design and growth strategy in the minerals industry. Sifiso is a Fellow and Past President of the Geological Society of South Africa and Vice-Chair of the SAMCODES Standards Committee. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Engineering (GDE) focusing on Mineral Resource Evaluation and Geostatistics.
Meet our Presenter
Michael Cronwright
Principal Consultant-Battery Metals
Michael is a geologist possessing more than 20 years’ experience in exploration and geology throughout Africa and parts of the Middle East. He is a well-rounded exploration professional with significant commodity experience including lithium, tin, base metals, gold, coal and tungsten. He holds a broad view of the battery metals space, including an appreciation of its downstream components. Michael has gained significant experience across pegmatite hosted columbo-tantalite, tin and lithium mineralisation, and vein hosted mineralisation styles. He is a qualified Competent Person/Qualified Person across many international reporting codes. Michael has lectured in the Master of Science program at Rhodes University on the topic of exploration geochemistry and pegmatites and is a member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, and a fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa.