France's Le Monde: Market Focus on the停产 of Ningde Times' Yichun Lithium Mine
The world's leading battery manufacturer, Ningde Times, has seen one of its lithium mines shut down, shaking up the global lithium market.
The world's largest battery manufacturer, Ningde Times (CATL), confirmed on Monday, August 11, that its lithium mine in Yichun, located in southeastern China, had suspended operations due to an expired mining license.
France's Le Monde paid special attention to this event on Tuesday. This mine is no ordinary player; its output alone accounts for about 6% of the global market, making it a "big player" in the global lithium supply chain. Upon the release of the news, international lithium prices surged by 8% at closing, and the stock prices of several international mining companies also "jumped with excitement." In fact, this mine has long been a focus of the market, with investors and industry insiders closely watching and tracking it.
As of 2024, Ningde Times controls 35% to 40% of the global electric vehicle battery market, supplying batteries to Tesla, Toyota, BMW, and most Chinese automakers. Although lithium is not a rare earth element, it is essential for mobile phones, computers, and electric vehicle batteries. In the global energy transition, its status is like "new oil." The Yichun lithium belt has vast reserves, and the combined output of all the mines in the area accounts for a quarter of China's lithium supply and 12% of the global lithium supply. In recent years, a large number of Chinese battery companies have invested over 20 billion euros in Yichun, forming an integrated layout from mines to refining plants to super factories.
In fact, China is not the country with the largest lithium reserves in the world. Australia, Chile, and Argentina are the "mining kings" of lithium. However, China leads in refining and processing, controlling 60% of the global lithium refining capacity, converting raw ore into key materials such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, firmly controlling the throat of the supply chain.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840300759888012/
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