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Analiza Pathak
Born in Guwahati, raised in Mussoorie and Delhi, She grew up reading magazines more than textbooks. She is an experienced writer/editor and has shifted focus to various aspects of communication. Her a ... Read More
China has discovered vast lithium reserves, often referred to as “white gold,” in Tibet. With this discovery, China has become the world’s second-largest holder of lithium reserves, trailing only Chile. It has now surpassed Australia, Argentina, and Bolivia in terms of lithium resources. Lithium is a critical material used across industries, from electric vehicles and cell phone communication to nuclear fuel. However, this development raises concerns for India.
The recently discovered salt lake lithium resources could exceed 14 million tons. Salt lakes are considered a low-cost source of lithium.
According to Xinhua, China has identified a world-class spodumene-type lithium belt stretching 2,800 kilometers. As per Science and Technology Daily, spodumene is a hard rock ore from which lithium is extracted. The Global Times reports that this belt extends from West Kunlun to Songpan-Ganzi. The discovery includes a mine in Tibet’s Zikunsong-Pan-Ganzi region and several lithium salt lakes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
This find significantly boosts China’s lithium resources, which now account for 16.5% of the world’s total reserves.
According to Global Times, the lithium belt alone holds more than 6.5 million tons of lithium, with potential reserves reaching up to 30 million tons. The China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources stated that this discovery has propelled China from sixth to second place globally in terms of lithium reserves. The discovery of lithium salt lakes also means that China now holds the world’s third-largest number of salt lakes capable of lithium extraction. In terms of lithium resources, South American countries like Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile are also quite rich.
As per South China Morning Post, this discovery suggests that more lithium reserves may be found in regions like Qinghai, Sichuan, and Xinjiang, all of which are neighboring areas with similar geological characteristics. According to China Daily, quoting senior scientist Wang Denghong from the China Geological Survey, this exploration began in 2021. The China Geological Survey has already found approximately 10 million tons of lepidolite lithium ore in Hunan Province, Jiangxi, and Inner Mongolia, around 10 million tons of brine lithium ore in Qinghai, and 10 million tons of spodumene lithium ore in Xinjiang.
China’s vast lithium reserves have raised concerns in India. In 2023, India made its first discovery of lithium reserves in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, with approximately 5.9 million tons of lithium. However, India’s efforts to extract lithium from these reserves have yet to bear fruit. Reports indicate that in November 2023, India failed to secure the required minimum of three bids in its first auction. Additionally, in the second attempt to sell rights, with a deadline of May 14, no bids were received. There are now reports suggesting that after the lack of bids, this lithium block may be handed over to a government agency for further exploration.
As the demand for lithium, used in batteries for electric vehicles, has increased, India has been making efforts to search for lithium both domestically and abroad. The discovery of lithium reserves in China has further strengthened its position. This is particularly important because China already exerts significant influence over Chile. According to The Diplomat, China has made substantial investments in Chile, particularly in the energy sector. Chinese state-owned companies have acquired several energy firms in Chile over the past decade under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese companies now control nearly two-thirds of the region’s energy sector.
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