With the continuous expansion of the demand for lithium batteries,the extraction and recycling of lithium reso-urces has become a research hotspot.The research progress of precipitation and extraction methods in the lithium extraction process of salt lake brine was introduced,and the research status of lithium resources in the waste lithium ion battery cathode material was highlighted.The preparation process of metallic lithium,such as molten salt electrolysis method and vacuum thermal reduction method,was also introduced.Vacuum thermal reduction method included silicon thermal reduction method,aluminothermic reduction method and iron thermal reduction method.At present,the industrialization of salt lake brine extraction method is a key issue to be solved.The green recycling of waste lithium-ion batteries is a hot research topic.When ensuring the recovery efficiency,organic acids should be used as much as possible to reduce pollution.The industrial recycling of waste lithium-ion batteries has broad prospects.The vacuum thermal reduction method is still in the laboratory research stage and needs further research.The continuous production is the main researching direction.