Key facts
- China's Jiada Lithium Mine in Sichuan has expanded its lithium carbonate equivalent resources by 70%.
- The Jiada mine's total lithium carbonate equivalent resources now stand at 2.53 million tonnes.
- A new hard-rock lithium deposit in Hunan Province, China, is estimated to contain 490 million tonnes of lithium ore.
- The Hunan deposit holds an estimated 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide.
- China controls over 70% of global lithium refining capacity.
- China accounts for approximately 60% of global EV sales.
China has announced a significant expansion of lithium resources at its Jiada Lithium Mine in Sichuan province, increasing its total reserves by approximately 70%. This development strengthens the country's long-term supply of lithium, a critical component for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and energy storage systems.
Recent detection efforts at the Jiada mine have identified about 1.05 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, bringing its total estimated resources to 2.53 million tonnes. This expansion comes as China also announced the discovery of a vast hard-rock lithium deposit in central Hunan Province, estimated to hold 490 million tonnes of lithium ore, containing about 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide. This Hunan find, classified as an altered granite-type deposit, is expected to be processed using hard-rock mining methods, which offer advantages in processing speed, cost, and product flexibility compared to brine deposits.
Beyond raw material extraction, China already dominates the global lithium refining capacity, controlling an estimated 60% to 70% of the market. This dominance is crucial as refining transforms mined ore into battery-grade chemicals. Analysts note that China's control over this middle step, coupled with its significant mining and battery manufacturing capabilities, solidifies its leading position in the global EV battery supply chain. China is the world's largest EV maker, accounting for around 60% of global EV sales.