China identifies potential lithium clay deposits near battery hubs

Geologists in China have identified significant potential for untapped clay-type lithium deposits along the country’s southeastern coast. A study published in the journal East China Geology suggests these mineral-rich areas, covering approximately 150,000 square kilometers, overlap with major lithium battery manufacturing hubs in eastern and southern China.

The identified volcanic rock zones extend roughly 1,200 km along the southeastern coastline and reach 500 km inland. Researchers from the Institute of Geology at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences and the Nanjing Center of the China Geological Survey noted that 105 subsided crater structures in the region provide favorable geological conditions for lithium accumulation in clay layers.

Currently, China hosts about 17,000 lithium battery-related enterprises, with over 71% concentrated in the eastern and southern regions. The Shirenbei Basin in Guangdong Province has been designated as a priority area for initial surveys following signs of lithium mineralization. The Shouchang Basin in Zhejiang Province has been ranked as the second priority for investigation.