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China Surges to Second in Global Lithium Reserves at 16.5%, Overtaking Australia

Jan 10, 2025, 10:50 PM

China has surged to become the country with the second-largest known lithium reserves in the world, following the discovery of significant new deposits. The China Geological Survey reported that the country's share of global lithium reserves has increased from 6% to 16.5%. This advancement has positioned China ahead of Australia, Argentina, and Bolivia, with only Chile maintaining a larger reserve. The discovery includes a spodumene-type lithium belt spanning 2,800 kilometers, potentially containing between 6.5 million and 30 million tonnes of lithium, and substantial lithium deposits in Tibet's Qinghai-Xizang Plateau salt lakes. This increase in reserves is expected to bolster China's electric vehicle and renewable energy industries, reducing its reliance on foreign lithium supplies.