China's 20,000-ton lithium recovery breakthrough boosts EV battery supply chain

China has achieved a significant milestone in the global energy sector with the launch of a 20,000-metric-ton production line dedicated to extracting lithium from salt lake brine. The facility, developed by Qinghai CITIC Guoan Technology Development Co., Ltd., represents a major leap forward in the efficiency and sustainability of lithium processing.

Traditionally, extracting lithium from salt pans through solar evaporation has been plagued by substantial material loss. This new proprietary technology, protected by multiple patents, eliminates these inefficiencies. The improvements are dramatic:

• Salt pan recovery: The extraction rate at the initial stage jumped from an industry average of under 50% to over 78%
• Total workshop yield: Overall lithium recovery across the entire facility increased from 75.38% to an impressive 90.41%
• Production cycle speed: The methodology significantly reduces the timeline required to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate

Interestingly, this accelerated processing does not compromise the simultaneous extraction of associated resources like boron and potassium. By minimizing waste and maximizing yield, the 20,000-tonne line serves as a blueprint for greener, larger-scale operations.

As demand for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and large-scale energy storage continues to surge, this advancement strengthens a highly secure and self-reliant lithium supply chain. The technology's ability to extract multiple valuable minerals from the same brine source while achieving unprecedented recovery rates could reshape global lithium production economics.

The breakthrough comes at a critical time when lithium supply constraints have been a bottleneck for the electric vehicle industry. With this technology, China strengthens its position in the global battery supply chain while potentially offering a more sustainable model for lithium extraction that could be replicated in other salt lake regions worldwide.

Source: China Daily