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

China has discovered a massive hard-rock lithium deposit in Hunan Province, estimated at 490 million tonnes of ore containing 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide. This find could strengthen China's dominant position in the global battery materials supply chain. The deposit's granite structure allows for faster processing and more flexible outputs compared to brine deposits. China's share of global lithium reserves has risen to 16.5%, and it controls over 70% of global lithium refining capacity. This discovery could further solidify China's role in the lithium value chain, from extraction to finished battery packs.