Lithium is highly reactive. Unlike copper or iron, it is not found in a pure ore. Australia is the largest hard rock mine in the world; with perhaps the bulk being recovered from Brine.
It can all be done cleaner, faster and cheaper. Like everything else it takes time money
WA's South West is already home to the world's largest lithium mine:
https://live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au/b55a7ed979f82553cadc1e65519fede3?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&cropH=1016&cropW=1524&xPos=0&yPos=0&width=862&height=575
http://www.lithiummine.com/lithium-mining-in-australia
Lithium is highly reactive. Unlike copper or iron, it is not found in a pure ore. Australia is the largest hard rock mine in the world; with perhaps the bulk being recovered from Brine.
It can all be done cleaner, faster and cheaper. Like everything else it takes time money