7 Biggest Lithium-mining Companies in 2026

2026-05-21 16:50:00 ET

For a long time, most of the world's lithium was produced by an oligopoly of US-listed producers. However, the sector has transformed significantly in recent years.

While Australia has long been a top-producing country when it comes to lithium, China has risen quickly to become not only the top lithium processor and refiner, but also a major miner of the commodity. In fact, China was the second largest lithium-producing country in 2025 in terms of mine production, passing Chile and behind only Australia.

Chinese companies are mining in other countries as well, including in top producer Australia, where a few are part of major lithium joint ventures. For example, Australia’s largest lithium mine , Greenbushes, is owned and operated by Talison Lithium, which is 51 percent controlled by Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, a joint venture between China’s Tianqi Lithium (SZSE:002466,HKEX:9696) and Australia’s IGO (ASX:IGO,OTCPL:IPGDF) . The remaining 49 percent stake in Talison is owned by Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) .

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