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EDMONTON — Alberta is positioning itself as a potential global leader in lithium production following a new provincial report estimating vast reserves of the critical mineral.
The Alberta Geological Survey says the province has an estimated 82.5 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in place, which could rank among the largest resources in the world.
Officials say growing global demand for lithium, driven by battery technology, energy storage and advanced manufacturing, is creating an opportunity for Alberta to develop a new industry alongside its existing energy sector.
Premier Danielle Smith says the scale of the resource places Alberta in a strong position to lead development, citing the province’s infrastructure and expertise in resource extraction.
Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean says lithium could become a cornerstone of Alberta’s economy, supporting job creation, investment and supply chains for international partners.
The province says it is working to attract investment, streamline regulations and introduce incentives to support critical minerals development, with commercial production possible as early as 2027.
Several companies are already advancing technologies to extract lithium from brines, with about two million hectares currently leased for exploration.
The report notes that most of Alberta’s lithium resources are located within the Devonian Leduc Formation, a geological unit long associated with the province’s oil industry, which could allow development to align with existing infrastructure and expertise.
Officials say Alberta is also rich in other critical minerals, including iron, vanadium, rare earth elements and uranium, as governments seek to diversify supply chains.
The province says its lithium reserves could theoretically supply materials for more than 10 billion electric vehicle batteries, underscoring the scale of the resource.
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