In 2025, Zimbabwe and Mali were the main contributors to the increase in lithium supply across Africa. Lithium is a key component in the production of batteries used in electric vehicles and other modern technologies. While South Africa is involved in lithium extraction, its production is limited and not well documented. However, the country may boost its lithium output in the second half of 2027 through the Springbok project in the Northern Cape. On Wednesday, October 7, Lithium Africa announced its plan to start a small-scale operation focused on producing spodumene concentrate, a mineral that contains lithium. This initiative could increase the country's lithium supply, although no annual production targets have been set yet. South Africa already extracts lithium ore, with the Ministry of Mineral Resources recording a production of 416,131 tonnes and exports of 409,643 tonnes in 2023. These numbers refer to the ore itself, not the amount of lithium it contains. Lithium extraction activity continues in regions such as KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Cape, where multiple sites contribute to the industry's development. These include the Blesberg site, developed by Marula Mining, and the former Norrabees mine, which has been integrated into the Springbok project. For Pretoria, developing new lithium deposits is an important step in revitalizing the mining sector. The National Strategy for Critical Minerals, adopted in 2025, highlights lithium as one of the minerals that should be explored more to replace operations that are closing down. The strategy emphasizes the need for South Africa to focus on exploring and discovering resources, particularly for essential minerals like lithium, graphite, copper, and rare earth elements, which are in high demand. The Springbok project could help achieve this goal by combining mining activities with the search for new resources. The Springbok project plans to process existing ore stock from Norrabees I, along with newly extracted ore, to produce concentrate. The expected revenue from this operation is also intended to fund the exploration of a 1,675 km² area, which is much larger than the five hectares covered by the current mining permit. However, the extent of this contribution is still uncertain. At present, Springbok has no updated resource estimate or study that confirms its economic viability. A preliminary estimate and a preliminary economic assessment are expected in the first half of 2027. These studies will outline the volumes, costs, and duration of the operations, alongside the completion of financing and necessary authorizations. In the medium term, the marketed production and any additional resources identified will allow the contribution of Springbok to South Africa's lithium supply to be measured.