中国发现5.4亿吨锂矿，或撼动全球电动汽车电池供应格局

Core Insights - China has discovered a large hard rock lithium deposit in Hunan province, which may strengthen its already dominant position in the global battery materials supply chain [2][3] Group 1: Discovery and Characteristics - The lithium ore reserves in the Jijiao Mountain area of Linwu County are estimated at 490 million tons (540 million short tons), with lithium oxide content around 1.31 million tons [2] - The granite-type structure of the deposit allows for faster processing and lower initial cash costs compared to brine-type lithium mines, enhancing mining efficiency [3] Group 2: Strategic Importance - China's share of global lithium reserves has risen to 16.5%, second only to Chile, while controlling over 70% of global lithium refining capacity [4] - Exploration efforts are ongoing in Tibet, where a lithium spodumene belt could contain up to 30 million tons of lithium, potentially increasing China's total reserves significantly [4] Group 3: Domestic Demand and Technological Advancements - Lithium is crucial for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and mobile communications, with domestic demand expected to double by 2030 [5] - China accounted for 76% of global lithium-ion battery production capacity in 2022, supported by two decades of investment in mineral procurement and battery manufacturing [5] Group 4: International Competition - The discovery of the Hunan lithium mine comes amid intense competition for critical raw materials, with Western governments forming alliances to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on Chinese processing [6] Group 5: Broader Energy Independence Efforts - The discovery highlights China's broader efforts to ensure energy and raw material independence, as seen in the recent oil field discovery by China National Offshore Oil Corporation [7] - The favorable geological conditions and existing infrastructure at the Jijiao Mountain site may allow for a swift transition from exploration to feasibility studies, further solidifying China's position in the lithium value chain [7]