China has significantly increased its lithium reserves, securing its position as the second-largest holder of this crucial metal used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy technology. According to Xinhua, China’s global share of lithium reserves has surged from 6% to 16.5%, surpassing key players like Australia, Argentina, and Bolivia, with only Chile ahead.
This rapid rise in reserves is credited to new discoveries and advanced extraction technologies. A major find in Tibet, a 1,740-mile spodumene belt, is believed to hold over 6.5 million tons of lithium, with some projections estimating up to 30 million tons. Additionally, Tibet’s salt lakes are expected to contain over 14 million tons of lithium, ranking them as the world’s third-largest deposit.
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China’s breakthroughs in processing lepidolite, a previously difficult-to-extract mineral, have further expanded its lithium reserves. These advances could unlock an additional 10 million tons of lithium, particularly in Jiangxi, with other deposits in Hunan and Inner Mongolia.
This expansion comes as China ramps up its new energy sector to meet the soaring demand for EVs and electronic devices. In 2022, China accounted for 76% of global lithium-ion battery production, and its growing lithium reserves are expected to reduce dependence on imports, lowering production costs.
China is also extending its lithium efforts internationally, notably in Mali, where it is developing one of the world’s largest untapped lithium reserves, aiming to produce 506,000 tons annually.
These developments ensure China’s pivotal role in stabilizing global lithium supplies as demand continues to climb.
