Reduce geopolitical concentration risk in battery metal supply chains through distributed processing networks in resource-rich regions

Analysis of current lithium extraction concentration (75% in 3 countries). Case study of Chile's integrated mining-processing approach. Benchmarking extraction purity and recovery rates across technologies (brine, hard rock, direct lithium extraction). Economic modeling of regional processing hubs.

Lithium production concentrated in Argentina, Australia, Chile creates supply vulnerability. Direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology enables processing closer to consumption centers, reducing transport emissions 40%. Regional processing hubs in Congo (cobalt) and Indonesia (nickel) reduce supply chain complexity. Distributed model increases resilience and reduces environmental impact of long-distance ore transport.