Surging global demand for battery storage and EVs requires the commissioning of 134 new lithium mines and over US$100 billion in investment by 2050, reports Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. This growing demand widens the divide between market requirements and Mexico’s nationalized mineral strategy. Mexico’s reservation of lithium exploitation exclusively for state-owned Litio para México (LitioMx) constrains foreign private participation and generates trade friction under the USMCA. This policy environment limits the ability of domestic automotive, energy storage, and industrial manufacturers to secure local upstream inputs during North America’s clean energy realignment.
Global lithium consumption is projected to more than triple by 2050, requiring the construction of 134 new extraction facilities and exceeding US$100 billion in capital deployment. This rapid market expansion…