A South Korean geoscience research institute, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), has announced the discovery of a lithium deposit in Kazakhstan and plans to pursue its development. The deposit, located in a 1.6 square-kilometer area of pegmatites in eastern Kazakhstan, was found during a study conducted since May last year with a request from the Kazakhstan government.
The area is estimated to have resources worth 21 trillion won (US$15.7 billion), with lithium grades reaching up to 5.3 percent. KIGAM intends to apply for drilling investigation rights to commence lithium mining in the area next year in collaboration with a South Korean company.