Business Daily China: The mineral superpower
May 26, 2025
Explore how China has established itself as a dominant force in the critical minerals market, essential for clean energy and modern manufacturing. Discover the complexities of its partnerships, especially in Indonesia's nickel processing, and the environmental implications. Learn about the global race for resources, as Europe tries to reduce its reliance on Chinese dominance and build its own supply chains. Delve into the geopolitical tensions shaping the future of these essential materials.
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UK's Innovative Lithium Extraction
- Imris British Lithium in southwest England tests extracting battery-grade lithium carbonate from granite using mica.
- Their pilot plant produces lithium at 99.9% purity, enough to power about 350,000 to 500,000 electric cars yearly.
China's Strategic Mineral Dominance
- China controls over two-thirds of lithium and cobalt refining, and 90% of rare earth elements globally.
- This dominance results from decades of strategic state investment and industrial policies.
China's Long-Term Industrial Strategy
- China aims to climb the industrial value chain through industrial policies started in the 1980s.
- Energy transition pushes China to secure resources and improve refining technologies crucial for advanced technologies and defense.