China’s 540 million-ton lithium find could shake up global EV game

China has announced a significant discovery of a hard-rock lithium deposit in the Jijiaoshan mining area of Hunan Province, estimated to contain 490 million tonnes of lithium ore with about 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide. This altered granite-type deposit offers advantages over traditional brine sources, including faster processing, lower upfront costs, and more flexible product outputs. The find also includes valuable byproducts like rubidium, tungsten, and tin, which could enhance the economic viability of mining operations. This discovery is poised to support local industrial development and strengthen China’s dominant position in the global battery-materials supply chain. China currently holds 16.5% of global lithium reserves, second only to Chile, and controls over 70% of lithium refining capacity worldwide. The country is also exploring a large spodumene belt in Tibet that could further increase its lithium reserves. With China hosting over 60% of the world’s electric vehicle (EV) fleet and accounting for 76% of global