In a groundbreaking discovery, China has found a colossal 490 million-tonne lithium ore deposit in central China’s Hunan Province, marking a significant advancement in the global energy landscape.
The provincial department of natural resources announced on Tuesday that the deposit was located in the Jijiaoshan mining area in Linwu County. Classified as an altered granite-type lithium deposit, it contains about 1.31 million tonnes of lithium oxide, a crucial material for modern technology.
In addition to lithium, the deposit is rich in other valuable minerals such as rubidium, tungsten, and tin, according to the department.
The discovery was made possible after years of dedicated exploration and advancements in geological technologies that overcame complex terrain conditions. The Mineral Resources Survey Institute of Hunan Province, which led the project, highlighted the importance of innovation in such breakthroughs.
Professor Xu Yiming from the institute expressed optimism about the find, stating that the new reserve will provide essential resources for Chenzhou city, which administers Linwu County, to expand its new-energy industry.
Lithium is a vital element used in a wide range of applications we rely on every day, from electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems to smartphones and laptops. The growing demand for cleaner energy solutions makes this discovery particularly timely.
Earlier this year, the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources reported that China’s lithium reserves had increased to 16.5% of the world’s total, propelling the country to the second-largest holder of lithium reserves globally.
This significant addition to China’s mineral resources not only strengthens its position in the global market but also has the potential to impact technology and energy sectors worldwide, fostering advancements that could benefit people around the globe.
