China’s Battery Factories May Sit Atop Lithium Resources

The world's largest battery maker and user, the country that dominates all alternative energy technology, is about to find out whether it could also boost its already dominant presence in a critical battery metal lithium. China, according to a new study, could have significant, untapped resources of lithium right underneath its battery factories. The possibility was detailed in a recent study that argued lithium deposits resulting from ancient volcanic activity could be located in East and South China, where most of the country's battery factories were built.

Ancient volcanoes produced so-called volcanic clay, which over time mineralized with lithium. Researchers have already found evidence of lithium mineralization in clay layers of volcanic rock.