In recent years, China has become a large global producer and consumer of lithium carbonate by virtue of the global complete lithium industry chain and the volume advantage of the new energy automobile market. Data show that in 2023, China's lithium carbonate production and consumption in the world accounted for 68% and 77% respectively.

However, the global distribution of lithium resources is uneven, South America “lithium triangle” (Bolivia, Argentina and Chile) lithium resources accounted for 52% of the global total, China's resource reserves accounted for only 6% of the global total. In order to obtain more high-quality lithium resources, including Ganfeng Lithium, Ningde Times and other links in the industry chain, including enterprises, have through equity acquisitions or participation in the layout of foreign high-quality lithium resources.

However, the road of foreign investment in domestic lithium enterprises is not smooth sailing. Recently, Tianqi lithium, Ganfeng lithium industry in foreign countries have encountered setbacks, the two companies in the local mineral resources ownership issues suddenly changed. June 24, Ganfeng lithium disclosure of Mexico Sonora lithium clay project disputes, said the company filed an arbitration has been formally registered by the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). It is understood that in August last year, the Mexican government announced the cancellation of the project's nine mineral concessions. Ganfeng lithium encounter is not a case. Recently, Chile's strategic adjustment of lithium resources has also affected Tianqi lithium's foreign investment interests. Other resource countries to accelerate the nationalization of lithium resources, but also to the Chinese enterprises of foreign lithium resources investment has brought serious challenges.

“Due to the uneven distribution of lithium resources, China's lithium mining enterprises to go out has become inevitable.” A long-term engaged in international trade in lithium ore senior personage told futures daily reporter, with the lithium ore resources for power batteries, energy storage and other new energy industry, the importance of the development of the highlighted, the resource countries currently pay more and more attention to this aspect of the competition for resources, lithium resources are still mainly dependent on imports of Chinese enterprises, foreign buy mine is undoubtedly more challenging.