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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Adam Morton Climate and environment editor

Value of Australian lithium exports tipped to match thermal coal in five years

lithium mining
Exports of Australian lithium are expected to reach about $19bn in five years – the same amount as Australia’s thermal coal exports. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Exports of Australian lithium – a key metal used in batteries – are expected to earn as much as sales of thermal coal within five years, as the world increasingly embraces clean energy and the market value of fossil fuels falls.

New data released by the Australian government forecasts local lithium production will double and the industry’s revenue will triple by 2027-28 compared with last financial year.

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