Who owns lithium in Africa?

Ms Zou notes that six out of eight of the new lithium projects announced across Africa in the past two years are partially or fully owned by Chinese companies. Among others, China’s Sinomine Resource group acquired Zimbabwe’s Bikita Minerals, the only mine in Africa producing lithium as of 2021, in January.

What percentage of EV batteries are made in China?

According to market consultancy SNE Research, Chinese battery makers have made 65.5 percent of the total global EV battery installations in the first 10 months. CATL took the crown with 36.8 percent.

Which countries are producing lithium in Africa?

Among others, China’s Sinomine Resource group acquired Zimbabwe’s Bikita Minerals, the only mine in Africa producing lithium as of 2021, in January. The company plans to ramp up production to five million tonnes of lithium per year by end of June 2023, according a statement from the state-owned engineering company PowerChina on July 14.

How important are lithium-ion batteries?

In recent years, the significance of lithium-ion batteries has increased dramatically as they underpin the green transition, moving beyond consumer goods to include energy storage and power EVs. China controlled 65% of the world’s lithium processing and refining capacity in 2021, according to Rystad Energy.

Which companies are acquiring lithium mining rights in South America & Africa?

The likes of Ganfeng, Suzhou TA&A, Sinomine and BYD — a global battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer which overtook Tesla in global EV sales in the first six months of 2022 — have all taken steps to acquire lithium mining rights in South America and Africa.

Is the world still reliant on China's lithium supply chains?

“In the medium term, [the world] is still going to be reliant on [lithium] supply chains from China,” because of China’s dominance in lithium production and processing, Thomas Chandler, critical metals analyst at SFA Oxford, tells fDi. However, Chinese miners face challenges as they try to increase production.