The above infographic charts more than 25 years of lithium production by country from 1995 to 2021, based on data from BP's Statistical Review of World Energy. was the largest producer of lithium, in stark contrast to the present.
The ESA Archives holds some microfilms from industry in its Envisat technical documentation and master microfilm files, along with microfiches of ESA final contract reports and official blue-docs - you can see some examples in the slideshow below.