Yichun, the Lithium Capital of Asia: The Rise and Prospect of the Lithium - Battery Industry

In the central part of the Chinese mainland, there is a city renowned for its lithium - mine resources, and that is Yichun, known as the "Lithium Capital of Asia." Yichun is endowed with extremely rich lithium - mine resources, with a lithium - oxide reserve of up to 11 million tons, accounting for 31% of the national total and 12% of the world's total. This unique resource advantage has become the cornerstone for the rise of Yichun's lithium - battery industry.

Relying on its abundant lithium - mine resources, the lithium - battery industry in Yichun has been developing at a very rapid pace. In 2023, the output of lithium carbonate in Yichun reached 158,900 tons, accounting for 34.5% of the total domestic output. This data is sufficient to demonstrate Yichun's important position in the supply of domestic lithium - battery raw materials. By 2023, the number of lithium - battery new - energy enterprises in Yichun had reached 257, among which 164 were above - scale enterprises, and the main business income in that year exceeded 104.48 billion yuan. The lithium - battery industry has already become a powerful engine for Yichun's economic development.

The global demand for clean energy continues to rise. As a key energy - storage device for clean energy, lithium - batteries have been expanding their application fields. Yichun has taken advantage of this trend and successfully constructed a complete industrial chain from lithium - mine exploitation and refining to battery research and development, production, and terminal application. In the lithium - mine exploitation link, advanced exploitation technologies ensure the efficient acquisition of resources. In the refining stage, continuous process innovation makes lithium products purer and of better quality, which can better meet the strict requirements of the downstream industries for lithium raw materials. Many battery enterprises have increased their R & D investment, closely cooperated with universities and scientific research institutions, jointly overcome a series of technical problems, and strongly promoted the continuous upgrading of lithium - battery technology.

The advantages of Yichun's lithium - mine resource development and utilization are remarkable. In terms of reserves, with 11 million tons of lithium - oxide reserves, it is equivalent to the combined reserves of some major lithium - producing regions in other countries. This vast reserve ensures a long - term and stable supply for the local lithium - battery industry.

Regarding mining conditions, the main mining areas in Yichun are only an average of 50 kilometers away from the nearest railway stations, and expressways pass within 10 kilometers of most mines. The well - developed transportation network reduces the transportation cost of lithium - mine products by about 30% compared to some remote mining areas. Additionally, the local infrastructure for power supply and water supply in the mining areas is complete. For example, each mine has an independent power - supply system with a power - supply reliability rate of over 98%, ensuring continuous and stable production.

In terms of environmental protection, Yichun has made significant achievements. In 2023, the water - reuse rate in lithium - mine exploitation reached 80%, effectively reducing water consumption. The mine - reclamation rate after mining has also increased to 70%, which is much higher than the national average of 50%. These efforts not only protect the ecological environment but also create conditions for the sustainable development of the industry.

In technological innovation, the lithium - recovery rate in Yichun has increased from 70% five years ago to 90% currently through the application of advanced flotation and chemical purification methods. This 20 - percentage - point increase means that for every 10,000 tons of lithium - mine ore processed, an additional 200 tons of lithium can be recovered, greatly improving resource utilization efficiency.

Looking ahead, Yichun will continue to firmly uphold the concept of green development, rationally plan the development of lithium - mine resources, and ensure the sustainable utilization of resources. It will continuously increase R & D investment, actively expand the application fields of lithium - batteries, further strengthen the deep integration with industries such as new - energy vehicles and energy storage, and stride forward towards the world - class lithium - battery industry high - ground. It is believed that in the near future, Yichun will play a more crucial role in the global clean - energy revolution and make the name of the "Lithium Capital of Asia" even more resounding.