Abstract:
The popularity of electric vehicles has driven the growth of demand for lithium mining resources, especially in the field of battery manufacturing. As a pioneer country in lithium mining, the United States once held a leading position in global production in the 20th century, but its influence in the global lithium mining industry has declined since 1998. In recent years, the US government has adopted policies such as
National Lithium Battery Blueprint 2021
-2030 and
Inflation Reduction Act, significantly strengthening support for the lithium mining industry and striving to restore its position in the global lithium mining industry. Especially with the advancement of key lithium mining projects such as Thacker Pass, Rhyolite Ridge, and Fort Cady, it is expected that the US lithium mining capacity will achieve an 8-fold growth by 2026. These projects have not only received strong support from the government, but also attracted international investors such as Albemarle Corporation, the world’s largest lithium mining producer. Faced with the trend of “de Sinicization” of the lithium mining industry promoted by the United States, China, as an important part of the global lithium mining industry chain, needs to take strategic measures to respond. China should strengthen the technological research and development of salt lake lithium mining resources and the exploration and exploitation of domestic lithium mining resources, reducing dependence on external resources. At the same time, it is necessary to maintain the globalization and openness of the lithium mining industry chain, strengthen the interconnection of the global supply chain, and ensure the stability and security of the supply chain. In addition, China should increase investment in lithium mines outside of its home country to reduce direct imports of lithium products and maintain competitiveness in the global lithium resource market. Through these measures, China will not only consolidate its industrial advantages, but also contribute to the stability and development of the global lithium mining resources market. Against the backdrop of intensified global competition for lithium mining resources, China’s strategic layout is crucial. It must not only respond to changes in the international market, but also adhere to its own industrial development and technological innovation to ensure its leading position in the global new energy market.