Core Viewpoint - The rapid development of the new energy vehicle and energy storage markets has led to a significant imbalance in the supply and demand of lithium resources, necessitating a multi-faceted approach to address these challenges [3][4]. Supply and Demand Dynamics - China has the largest market for new energy vehicles and energy storage, with demand for lithium battery materials growing rapidly. In the first half of this year, the production and sales of new energy vehicles increased by 41.4% and 40.3% year-on-year, respectively, while the production of power and other batteries rose by 60.4% [4]. - The production of lithium carbonate reached 389,000 tons in the first half of the year, a year-on-year increase of 29%, providing a solid foundation for the development of the new energy industry [4]. - The domestic lithium resource development volume is expected to reach 300,000 tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 28%, with the self-supply guarantee rate rising to 40% [4]. Global Resource Development - Chinese enterprises are actively participating in global lithium resource development through bidding, asset restructuring, and project cooperation, with overseas investments exceeding 100 billion yuan (approximately 10 billion USD) by mid-year [5]. - Over 90% of overseas lithium resource projects are led by private enterprises, which play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of China's new energy industry chain [5]. Challenges and Risks - The lithium battery industry faces long-term sustainability challenges, including insufficient domestic resource development and a lack of high-quality raw materials [7]. - The price of lithium materials has experienced significant fluctuations, with lithium carbonate prices peaking at 600,000 yuan per ton in November 2022 before dropping below 600,000 yuan [8]. - Global economic conditions and international dynamics have increased risks in overseas lithium mining, with countries like Mexico and Chile implementing regulations that complicate foreign investment [8]. Strategic Directions - The lithium raw material industry should focus on "safety, innovation, green, and collaboration" to address development challenges and enhance production capabilities [10]. - A national lithium resource reserve system should be established to ensure stable supply, with increased exploration efforts in key regions [10]. - Companies should avoid short-term profit-driven decisions and instead focus on rational assessments of industry scale and supply-demand relationships [10]. Recycling and Sustainability - A dual-driven model of tiered utilization and recycling should be established, promoting standardized recycling networks and encouraging collaboration between automakers, battery manufacturers, and recycling entities [11]. - The industry should enhance recovery technologies to improve the recovery rates and purity of metals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, while reducing costs [11]. - Active participation in the formulation of global lithium raw material industry rules is essential, along with strengthening cooperation with resource and consumer countries to create a mutually beneficial global industrial ecosystem [11].