Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Challenges and countermeasures for lithium resources in China and analysis of global distribution and industry status

Lirong DOU, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China; China National Oil and Gas Exploration and Development Company Ltd., Beijing 100034, ChinaFollow
Huaqing LIU, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
Dekuan CHANG, Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, ChinaFollow

Keywords

lithium resource；lithium ore demand；industrial policy；technical direction；challenges；countermeasures

Document Type

Strategy & Policy Decision Research

Abstract

With the rapid development of the global new energy industry, the strategic significance of lithium mineral resources is becoming increasingly pronounced. As a crucial material essential to the primary sectors of electric vehicles and energy storage batteries, the security of the lithium supply chain directly influences the industrial and economic development of the country. Global lithium resource reserves are primarily concentrated in several key countries, including Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Australia. Although China possesses a significant amount of lithium reserves, it faces challenges such as high mining difficulty, stringent environmental protection regulations, and low ore grades. These factors contribute to the difficulties in meeting domestic demand and result in a high dependence on external lithium resources. As one of the world’s largest consumers of lithium, China has responded to the surge in demand for lithium metal by implementing a series of policies and initiatives aimed at encouraging enterprises to enhance their capacity to secure lithium resources. However, as global lithium resources become increasingly monopolized by a few international companies, countries rich in lithium have strengthened their strategic positioning in the lithium market, which raises potential risks for China’s supply of lithium resources. This study conducts research on the distribution of global lithium resources and the current status of the industry, as well as China’s lithium resources and industry status. It analyzes the specific circumstances surrounding China’s lithium resources and industrial development, revealing the challenges facing the growth of China’s lithium industry. Based on this analysis, a strategy is proposed for China’s lithium industry to ensure energy security and a direction is outlined for future development.

First page

494

Last Page

510

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Recommended Citation

DOU, Lirong; LIU, Huaqing; and CHANG, Dekuan (2024) "Challenges and countermeasures for lithium resources in China and analysis of global distribution and industry status," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 40 : Iss. 3 , Article 14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.20240326001
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol40/iss3/14

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