A significant lithium ore deposit has been confirmed in China’s central Hunan Province, further strengthening the country’s strategic position in the global supply of battery materials.
The deposit, located in the Jijiaoshan mining area of Linwu County, is estimated to hold approximately 490 million tonnes of ore, including 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide, according to the provincial department of natural resources. The find was led by the Mineral Resources Survey Institute of Hunan Province following years of geological surveys and the application of advanced exploration technology.
Classified as an altered granite-type deposit, the ore allows for more manageable extraction and processing compared to brine-based lithium sources. The solid rock format enables faster, more cost-effective production, with better control over output volumes. In addition to lithium, the deposit is reported to contain other valuable minerals such as rubidium, tungsten, and tin.
The discovery is expected to support the development of the new-energy sector in Chenzhou, the prefecture-level city overseeing Linwu County. Local authorities aim to use the reserve to strengthen the region’s role in China’s growing battery materials industry.
This latest development follows the announcement last year of a major lithium discovery in Yajiang, Sichuan Province, estimated to contain nearly one million tonnes of lithium. China’s broader strategy includes further exploration efforts, including surveys along a 2,800-kilometre spodumene belt in Tibet, which could potentially yield an additional 30 million tonnes of lithium-bearing ore.
According to data from the China Geological Survey, the country now holds 16.5% of the world’s known lithium reserves, ranking second globally behind Chile. Despite this, China maintains a dominant position in the global supply chain, with more than 70% of worldwide lithium refining capacity.
The Hunan discovery underscores China’s continued investment in domestic exploration and resource development, as it works to secure a stable supply of critical materials for its expanding electric vehicle and renewable energy industries.